Paul now an honorary Spanish citizen

The ‘Oracle’ Paul was awarded an honorary citizenship by the Spanish town of Carballino on Thursday.

Zeenews Bureau

Oberhausen: The ‘Paul’ mania continued long after the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the Spanish town of Carballino awarded an honorary citizenship to the octopus ‘Oracle’ after he correctly predicted the nation victory in the World Cup final. The mayor of the northwestern Spanish town, Carlos Montes, travelled to Germany where he presented the Oberhausen Sea Life aquarium with a silver plaque and a replica statue of its best-known cephalopod. Paul also received a sumptuous meal of mussel meat and was given a friendly stroke.“He was very trusting and enjoyed being stroked,” a Spanish spokesman said.Paul’s popularity topped the charts during the FIFA World Cup 2010 after he correctly predicted the outcome of all Germany matches and also the final encounter. His predictions were also broadcasted live in the later stages of the tournament in South Africa. He was spot-on in his predictions of all seven Germany games and also got Spain’s win over the Netherlands in the July 11 final right. Carballino has invited Paul to take part in a large octopus celebration in early August. But he will stay put in Germany, despite five-figure purchase bids from around the world.