World Cup 2018: Robbie Williams changes lyrics to sing ‘I did this for free’ at the opening ceremony before flipping bird to millions on live TV
English star made the rude gesture as he belted out 'Rock DJ' at the Luzhniki Stadium
Joe Miles
Joe Miles
ROBBIE Williams changed the lyrics to Rock DJ to "I did this for free" just moments before sticking his middle finger up at the camera during the World Cup opening ceremony.
The singer, 44, stunned fans after he made the rude gesture at the Luzhniki Stadium as the tournament got underway.
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Robbie Williams stunned millions of viewers and all of the fans in the stadium
The line in the song should be "/Every night/Pimpin' ain't easy" but he belted out "Most of them fleece me/I did this for free" seconds before giving the finger.
Williams received mixed reviews from fans as he performed before Russia's opening match against Saudi Arabia.
The 44-year-old, dressed in a red leopard print suit, performed a number of his classics alongside Aida Garifullina.
Six million viewers then witnessed the English star clearly putting his middle finger up to the camera with his actions sending Twitter into meltdown.
One furious fan tweeted: "Robbie Williams giving the finger to billions of people #WorldCup"
Another added: "Am I crazy or did Robbie Williams give a middle finger?"
Williams belted out Let Me Entertain Me and Feel in front of a packed, excited Russian crowd, while local beauty Garifullina also performed a gorgeous, operatic rendition before joining the former Take That man for a duet of Angels.
His wife Ayda Field posted a selfie on Instagram just moments later with Robbie and his dad, saying: "Post-show joy with @robbiewilliams and Pete… so proud of my hubby!! Boyhood fantasy complete #worldcup2018.”
Moments later, all the eyes of the world turned to Moscow for Russia vs Saudi Arabia's kick-off.
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Robbie's wife Ayda took a selfie with the star and his dad moments after the showCredit: Instagram
The 2018 World Cup in Russia kicked-off with a sea of colours and excitement at Moscow's Luzhniki StadiumCredit: Getty
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Robbie Williams roared out three songs during the short, sweet opening ceremony at the Luzhniki StadiumCredit: Reuters
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Russian model Natalia Vodianova posed next to the World Cup trophy during the thrilling opening ceremonyCredit: AFP
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Russia's president Vladimir Putin brought the opening ceremony to a close with a speechCredit: Reuters
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Everywhere you looked locals and travelling fans alike were well into the spirit of the opening ceremonyCredit: Reuters
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The opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup was a short but very sweet ten-minute spectacleCredit: Reuters
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Robbie Williams threw on a red, leopard-print suit and black shirt for the stunning opening ceremonyCredit: Reuters
It's hardly the most glamorous of ties to kick-off the tournament, but there was a palpable buzz around the ground, as the gripped crowd prepared to watch their side start their campaign.
Russia's fans couldn't care less that their side is officially the lowest-ranked side at this year's World Cup.
In fact, the enthusiasm was clear for everyone to see, as 500 dancers took to the pitch, in front of face-painted, scarf-clad supporters.
But the excitement wasn't just contained to the stadium - with fans cramming together to party outside the ground in the "Fifa Fan Zone".
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Colourful, wonderful, dramatic... the World Cup opening ceremony was something to beholdCredit: Getty
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Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke moments before kick-off of the first game between the hosts and Saudi ArabiaCredit: Reuters
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Putin's speech before the first game of the tournament kick off received cheers from the crowdCredit: Reuters
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Robbie Williams performed a stunning duet of Angels with local beauty Aida GarifullinaCredit: AFP
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The World Cup opening ceremony kicked off just half an hour before the first gameCredit: Reuters
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The World Cup ceremony was quite a sight to behold for the entire globeCredit: Reuters
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Iker Casillas proudly showed off the World Cup trophy to the adoring crowd in MoscowCredit: Reuters
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Robbie Williams and Aida Garifullina sung the opening ceremony in Moscow to life in true styleCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Around 500 dancers took to the turf in Moscow to raise the curtain on what should be a riveting summer of footballCredit: AFP
As well as live music, supporters watched the scenes from inside the stadium, furiously waving flags and bouncing big beach balls to each other - with Colombia fans arguably the most animated.
The lights, the colour, the spectacle... it was the perfect way to showcase this summer's tournament in the nation's capital, as Russia took on Saudi Arabia to a mighty roar from the sell-out 81,000 Luzhniki Stadium... and millions more around the globe.
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The colourful spectacle at the Luzhniki Stadium whet the appetite of millions of football fans across the planetCredit: Reuters
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Russia fans packed themselves into the Luzhniki Stadium to cheer on their side against Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
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Saudi Arabia fans made sure their presence was felt for the opener against host nation RussiaCredit: AFP
The World Cup opening ceremony launches the competition at the Luzhinki Stadium in Russia
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The World Cup opening ceremony was awash with colour, dancing, singing and most importantly, excitementCredit: PA:Empics Sport
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Diego Maradona watched-on in relaxed fashion at the World Cup opening ceremony on ThursdayCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Supporters headed to the Moscow stadium in droves as the palpable excitement hit RussiaCredit: AFP
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Saudi Arabia fans looked in good spirits ahead of the opening ceremony as they awaited their nation's opening gameCredit: Getty
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Supporters spared no expense in getting themselves match-ready for the first game of the tournamentCredit: Getty
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Fans looked on in marvel as Robbie Williams belted out classic hit Let Me Entertain You in RussiaCredit: Reuters
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Fans from around the globe flocked to the stadium for the opening ceremony ahead of Russia vs Saudi ArabiaCredit: Alamy
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Fans from around the world brought the weird and wonderful to the Luzhniki Stadium for the tournaments curtain-raiserCredit: Getty
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Fans got into the mood as Robbie Williams strutted his stuff at the Luzhniki StadiumCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Fans of the host nation got into the party spirit as the team prepared to take on Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
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Russia has officially gone football-mad as supporters flock to the nation for the World CupCredit: Reuters
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Players and bosses alike all had a chance to take a look at what they were playing for at the opening ceremonyCredit: Getty
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Fans from around the world got in the mood for the tournament from day one, especially ColombiaCredit: AFP
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Supporters left no stone unturned in making themselves seen for the curtain-raising ceremonyCredit: AP:Associated Press
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A palpable buzz surrounded the Luzhniki Stadium as hosts Russia prepared to take on Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
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Fifa president Gianni Infantino shared a joke as he prepared to watch the World Cup roar to its kick-offCredit: AFP
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Supporters crammed their way into the stadium for the opening ceremony in MoscowCredit: AFP
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Saudi Arabia fans prayed at the stadium ahead of kick-off between their nation and hosts RussiaCredit: Getty
Aida Garifullina sings with Robbie Williams at World Cup opening ceremony
