SAO PAULO, May 2 — With its famed “jogo bonito”, iconic stars and report 5 World Cup titles, Brazil has lengthy been often known as the “land of soccer”.
But is it still?
The nation of Pele, Garrincha and Ronaldinho, which as soon as wowed the world with its ‘samba’ model, has not received the World Cup since 2002. Nor has it produced a Ballon d’Or winner since Kaka in 2007.
With the “Selecao” presently struggling to ebook its place at the 2026 World Cup, many in Brazil and past marvel why.
“We’re at a low level. We used to have extra top-quality athletes,” the late Pele’s eldest son, Edinho, instructed eNM lately.
Even President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has joined the nationwide soul-searching, admitting Brazil “doesn’t play the best soccer in the world anymore”.
So what occurred?
Disappearing pitches
One reply could possibly be the decline of road soccer, the place some of Brazil’s all-time greats began out, equivalent to Rivellino, Zico and Romario.
“Nobody performs in the road anymore. You don’t hear tales about that kick that broke any person’s window,” says novice footballer Lauro Nascimento, his jersey stained with orange mud after taking part in on one of the few grime pitches left on Sao Paulo’s north facet.
Nascimento, a 52-year-old finance skilled who performs for native facet Aurora, broke a number of toes taking part in soccer barefoot as a boy.
Today, the district of Vila Aurora, is roofed in concrete sprawl. Two buildings stand on what was as soon as open pasture used as a soccer pitch.
“Any open house was sufficient for teenagers to get their begin in soccer. Now, they’re seen as prime improvement actual property,” says sports activities historian Aira Bonfim.
Nascimento and his buddies pay US$160 (RM763) a month to lease the battered scrap of land the place they play matches however that sort of cash is a barrier for working class households.
To entry a pitch at present, poor youngsters in Brazil usually rely on faculty, social programmes or a soccer academy.
Just one in 5 such academies is free, based on a 2021 research.
And many of these pitches are artificial, a floor some say develops gamers’ method lower than the tough, rocky fields of yesterday.
The subsequent era still has soccer in its veins, however has difficulties with coaching, attributed to their sedentary existence and habit to screens. — eNM pic
‘Mechanical’ model
The decline in time spent taking part in the sport has had “an enormous impression on our soccer”, says researcher Euler Victor.
“We have an enormous quantity of Brazilians taking part in in Europe however only a few stars.”
Brazil’s newest nice hope, Neymar, shone at Barcelona, however struggled to guide the nationwide workforce to championships in a profession slowed down by controversy and damage.
Brazilians now have their hopes pinned on 23-year-old Vinicius Junior and younger phenomenon Endrick, who is about to affix Vinicius at Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July.
Brazil is still the world’s high exporter of footballers however they’re bringing in much less cash.
According to Fifa figures, golf equipment paid US$935.3 million in switch charges for two,375 Brazilian gamers final yr, down practically 20 per cent from 2018, when the quantity of gamers was smaller — 1,753.
Part of the drop is as a result of groups are paying much less to rent free brokers and youthful gamers.
But there’s additionally a scarcity of standout stars.
“Our method has suffered,” says Victor Hugo da Silva, a coach at Flamengo’s youth academy in Sao Goncalo, exterior Rio de Janeiro.
“The taking part in model modified and that ended up taking away some of our creativity. Our soccer was so joyful. Now it’s turn out to be extra mechanical.”
On an artificial pitch, he trains seven to 10-year-olds dreaming of following in the footsteps of Vinicius, the academy’s most well-known graduate.
The subsequent era still has soccer in its veins, however has “difficulties” with coaching, an issue Da Silva attributes to their sedentary existence and “habit” to screens.
Brazil, inhabitants 203 million, has extra cell telephones than individuals. More than one-third of kids aged 5 to 19 are obese or overweight, based on the World Obesity Atlas.
Robson Zimerman, a expertise scout for Sao Paulo membership Corinthians, says rising footballers at present face more durable circumstances, together with the skill to play a number of positions and outsize expectations from household and the media.
“Before, they only needed to fear about taking part in soccer,” he says.
But Leila Pereira, president of cross-town rivals Palmeiras, the reigning league champions, insists Brazil won’t ever cease being the nation of soccer.
Brazilian groups have claimed the previous 5 Copa Libertadores titles with Palmeiras claiming two of these.
The membership is the cradle of Endrick — whose sale to Real Madrid introduced in a reported US$65 million with bonuses — in addition to rising prospects Estevao and Luis Guilherme.
“I disagree with those that assume (Brazilian gamers) have misplaced high quality. Look at the astronomical sums they carry in,” says Pereira.
Favela occasion
For many individuals, Pereira, one of Brazil’s wealthiest individuals, is the face of a brand new model of Brazilian soccer — extra like Europe’s, with lavish salaries, by South American requirements, and costly ticket costs.
“With the absurd salaries they pay the gamers, golf equipment have to boost ticket costs, which excludes followers like me,” says Flamengo supporter David Santos.
In 2019, he based a fan membership for Flamengo die-hards like himself from the impoverished favelas.
From atop the hillside slum that overlooks the stylish seashore neighbourhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema, they recreate the ambiance of the Maracana on match days, adorning an outdated pitch with flags, grilling barbecue and belting out chants as the match performs on an enormous display.
“The ‘nation of soccer’ factor — we’re shedding that,” says one attendee, 38-year-old Vasco fan Pablo Igor.
“Football is what you see right here. It’s a recreation of the individuals. But road youngsters like I used to be don’t have entry to it anymore.” — ETX Studio
