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Back to the Future

July 20th, 2007 | By: Euler Costa | 14 Comments »

Pato Brazil is back on the top of the Fifa Ranking. We’ve been there for so long that it felt awkward some times. And if you think I’m “full of it” go check our “line” at the Fifa “Compare Teams” page. It really is brutal.

Even so, everyday I see some football “expert” talking about the “decadence” or “decline” of the Brazilian football. Comments like “Look what happened to the U20 Brazil team!”, like our future was in some kind of danger. A quick look at recent history will give us a better picture of what the U20 championship really means in terms of results at a bigger stage:

- Argentina won it in 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2005. They failed to get any World Cup title during this period until now.

- Spain won it in 1999 and was also a big disappointment in 2002 and 2006.

- Yugoslavia in 1987 and Portugal in 1989 and 1991 also failed to turn their nations into World Cup champions.

As somebody wrote the other day, it is a whole different game. And for people who enjoys seeing Brazil getting out early in that competition I want to say three things:

First, Brazil will always produce world-class players because we are a football nation as I wrote before here and here and Gabriele Marcotti (Times) wrote here.

Second, the future of Brazil is strong as ever, as proven against Argentina at the Copa America final. We know how to adapt. Our players are screened and end up signing with the best and strongest teams in Europe (remember Lyon, 6 times Ligue 1 champions in a row), so they are always on the top of the ladder in terms of high level competitions.

Third, the art of football still exists in players like Ronaldinho, Kaká, Robinho and many others, but if we need also a strong defense to go after the title, it will be done.

So if you are jealous of our team, don’t forget this: Envy is an emotion that “occurs when a person lacks another’s superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it.” (Wikipedia)

Tags: adapt, Alexandre Pato, Back, Brazil, Copa America, decadence, decline, Future, heart, Kaka, Lyon, Robinho, U20

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Comments

By Ali | July 21st, 2007 at 5:13 am

Well said..
I couldn’t agree more..

By Kris | July 21st, 2007 at 11:57 pm

I usually dont come in here but it was at the top of the page. Its funny how brazil fans talk down every tournament but than if they win all of the sudden its important. Copa America supposedly wasnt important for them but now that they won it its a big deal which it should be you guys UPSET Big Argentina in the final. Now the U-20 doesnt matter..

Posted from United States

By Brazils good | July 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 am

Brazil is going to win 2010 world cup 95%.Brazil killed argentina pretty good 3-0.

By anand | July 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 am

I dont want to sound like a troll…but i see a lot of over confidence in Eulers posting. All I can say is a Copa America win over an offencive Argentine side is too early to decide the confidence in your manager and the team. All you need to look at is your friendlies before the Copa and most matches throughout the Copa except ofcourse the final one(I sincerely thing Brazil deserved the victory on that day, as they were clearly the better team)
Struggled against England, with KAKA and Ronaldinho and not to forget the Potugal side which is attacking and good at defence.

Also whatever you may say, u have to admit the fact that Brazils win over Uruguey in the penalties was pure luck and poor refreeing (on Doni)

So before investing such over confidence and faith in the team, its good to take the rankings et all with a pinch of salt…

Posted from India

By Euler | July 22nd, 2007 at 9:56 am

Kris and Anand, you didn’t understand my post at all. I’m not overconfident because of the Copa America. I wrote before… this competition isn’t that important. The matter is just that we have been amongst the top teams for a long time now, and that won’t change.

I don’t know if we will get the next WC or not, but we will always be there giving the opponents a hard time. And no one here is afraid of our future.

Its funny how you guys are now hanging to the U20 team… pressure never ends.

Posted from Brazil

By Kris | July 22nd, 2007 at 11:08 am

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gw5xZHFfJbQ

time to change advertisements like this lol..”Fear of defeat has overshadowed beautiful play”..I couldnt say it better myself..

Posted from United States

By Euler | July 22nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm

Great video! Thanks! As I said, our talent farm is always ON! Lol! Beautiful play is still there.

Posted from Brazil

By conceicao | July 22nd, 2007 at 2:10 pm

Brasil got knocked out of the u-20s by Spain
only because the team failed to line up
promptly to defend a free kick. Given Dunga’s
reaction to a similar supposed failure by Bebeto
in the ‘98 WC game against Morocco, I would
expect that the u-20 coach is lying pretty low right now.

Posted from United States

By Brazils good | July 22nd, 2007 at 3:41 pm

Press 798 who thinks that Brazil going to win 2010 world cup

By anand | July 22nd, 2007 at 11:37 pm

pressure over euler…ARgentina won U20 worldcup…for the 6th time!
Yeah you are quite right…something to cheer…no seriously…I think we as fans deserve some joy rt?

Posted from India

By SAYED | July 23rd, 2007 at 9:36 am

Brazil need to find the trigger in a new striker. I think, the defense, the midfielders and wingers are great, but all they lack is lethal striker. If only Dunga could find such a striker, I think, they have a good chance at WC 2010

Posted from India

By Manuel | July 23rd, 2007 at 9:59 pm

Striker you ask? There is a hungry Ronaldo who has been training like crazy wanting to get back in shape, there is Adriano who is now committed to returning to shape, there is Fred, there is Robinho, there is Pato, there is Nilmar, I mean striking force is not the problem in mi view. The problem will be to forge a team that will work together without letting the egos of the marquee players become an annoyance like it happened in Germany where Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo were the prima donnas doing as they please. I think for this Dunga is the right coach because he could care less about these stars as he has shown with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and Adriano. On the other hand I do agree that this win is not something to take that seriously because Brazil won yes, but only after defeating Uruguay in penalties and losing to Mexico OUCH!! That is not the way to reach the final and we all should demand better from the Selecao.

Posted from United States

By Euler | July 24th, 2007 at 8:07 am

Thank you, Manuel, for your comment. I agree with you. The Copa America title was really surprising and the competition, as a whole, showed that we need a lot of work yet. I was not happy when the players complained about the criticism. What were they expecting?

By Ron-Al-Do | August 18th, 2007 at 11:48 am

I think the right striker is still Ronaldo for the moment. He is in much better shape thanks to Milan Labs and he is a clinical finisher plain and simple. He’ll do nothing for 88 minutes and then turn it on and score a brace.

Adriano is still lacking form but I still can’t believe Mancini (from Roma) hasn’t got a call up yet, he has been in blistering form for some time now!

Posted from Australia