Monsters Unleashed: From Godzilla Ramen to a 70-Million-Year-Old Marine Predator

If you think the whole "monster" thing is just for horror movies or prehistoric creatures, you've missed out on what went down this week. The word took over everything: from the most creative kitchens in São Paulo to newly discovered fossils in Mexico, and of course, it wouldn't be complete without a dash of football and that nostalgia for giant cars. Hold on, this is going to be good.

The monster you can eat: Godzilla is now a soup

First stop is at the table. Fans of the king of the monsters who also love a good bowl of ramen will have their mouths watering. A version has appeared that you simply can't ignore: the Monster - Desejo Assassino has become culinary inspiration. And it's not just for the looks, either. They say the broth is so rich, with an intensity of flavour that echoes the fury of the atomic lizard. It's the kind of dish you look at, take a photo of, but feel a shiver down your spine before the first bite. Those who've tried it swear it's not for everyone, but those who take it on walk away with a story to tell.

A true marine monster: the terror of prehistoric oceans

While we're distracted by pop culture, science has decided to give us a bit of a fright. A team of palaeontologists stumbled upon something in Mexico that makes Godzilla look like a pet goldfish. They found the remains of a marine monster over 9 metres long that lived a staggering 70 million years ago, back at the end of the age of dinosaurs.

This creature was the ultimate predator of the seas. Imagine a giant lizard, with teeth that look more like butcher knives, swimming around while the T-Rex ruled the land. The discovery is so incredible that researchers are rewriting what we knew about ocean dominance in the Cretaceous. Now this was a real monster, no special effects needed.

From football to four wheels: when 'monster' is a good thing

Of course, we couldn't ignore the nickname that pops up on the pitch now and then. When the talk turns to a tough, relentless defender, our minds go straight to Thiago Emiliano da Silva, our Thiago Silva. He's been called a monster for decades, and for good reason. The calmness when playing out from the back and the savvy in his tackling make him a living legend. For those born in the 80s and 90s, growing up watching these defensive monsters was a footballing education.

And if we're talking raw power, how could we forget monster trucks? It's just something else. Seeing those giant trucks, with tyres the size of a small car, crushing old cars and flying off dirt ramps is a spectacle in itself. It's the kind of entertainment that appeals to our most primal instinct: watching the big crush the small.

Why do we love a monster so much?

Whether in soup, in fossils, on the field or in the destruction arena, the figure of the monster has a universal appeal. Maybe it's the fear, maybe it's the admiration for brute force. The truth is, this week was a feast for anyone who, like me, loves these themes. To top it all off, here's a list of what these "creatures" have in common:

• Imposing presence: Whether it's a 9-metre marine monster or a 5-tonne monster truck, they dominate their environment.
• Destructive power: Godzilla levels cities, the prehistoric predator ruled the oceans. It's a force that defies the norm.
• Fascination: We stop to look, to study, to eat. They grab our attention because they exist on the edge of what's possible.

When all is said and done, that's the word of the week: monster. In all its forms, sizes and flavours, it continues to dominate the popular imagination and, now, even the geological timeline. And speaking of time, if you haven't tried that ramen yet, get moving, because it seems the real monsters don't wait around for anyone.