Monsters on the Loose: From Godzilla Ramen to a 70-Million-Year-Old Marine Predator

If you think the word "monster" is only for horror films or prehistoric creatures, you've clearly missed what's been happening this week. The term has taken over everything: from São Paulo's most inventive kitchens to recently discovered fossils in Mexico, and, of course, there's a healthy dose of football and a nostalgic nod to giant trucks. Buckle up, here's the story.

The monster you can eat: Godzilla, now in soup form

Our first stop is at the table. Fans of the king of the monsters who also enjoy a good bowl of ramen will have their mouths watering. A version has emerged that's impossible to ignore: Monster - Desejo Assassino has become a culinary inspiration. And it's not just about the looks, either. Word has it that the broth is so rich, with an intensity of flavour that evokes the fury of the atomic lizard. It's the kind of dish you look at, snap a photo of, but still feel a shiver down your spine before the first mouthful. 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 being distracted by pop culture, science decided to give everyone a fright. A team of palaeontologists stumbled upon something in Mexico that makes Godzilla look like a pet goldfish. They uncovered the remains of a marine monster over 9 metres long that lived a staggering 70 million years ago, right at the end of the dinosaur era.

This creature was the ultimate predator of the seas. Imagine a giant lizard, with teeth more like butcher's knives, swimming around while the T-Rex ruled on land. The discovery is so extraordinary that researchers are rewriting what we thought we knew about ocean dominance in the Cretaceous period. Now that was a real monster, no special effects needed.

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

Of course, we couldn't ignore the nickname that pops up on the pitch time and again. When the talk turns to a tenacious, relentless defender, we immediately think of Thiago Emiliano da Silva, our Thiago Silva. He's been called a monster for decades, and for good reason. His composure when playing out from the back and his savvy tackling make him a living legend. For those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, watching these defensive monsters was a masterclass in football.

And if we're talking raw power, how can we forget monster trucks? There's just nothing like it. Watching those giant trucks, with tyres the size of a small car, crushing old cars and soaring off dirt ramps is a spectacle in its own right. It's the kind of entertainment that appeals to our most primal instinct: seeing the big guy crush the little guy.

Why do we love monsters so much?

Whether in soup, in fossils, on the field, or in the demolition arena, the figure of the monster holds a universal appeal. Maybe it's fear, maybe it's admiration for brute strength. The truth is, this week has been a treat 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 ordinary.
• Fascination: We stop to watch, to study, to eat them. They grab our attention because they push the boundaries of what's possible.

When all's said and done, the word of the week is this: 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, you'd better get a move on, because it seems real monsters wait for no one.