Brazil faced the Republic of Ireland Tuesday night at their second “home” in London. Since 2007, the South Americans remain undefeated against Italy, Sweden and England in the Capitol city. The pre-World Cup friendly, played at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, has reinforced Coach Dunga’s decision to use several home-based and non-glamor European club players for the National side.
For some, the return of European based players to their native Brazil is increasingly lucrative. In the past year both current and former internationals have found starring roles in the once chaotic Brazilian Leagues.
Recent regulations and fixture improvements along with an economic upturn have yielded an exodus of players from the promise of European prosperity.
Manchester City‘s on loan star Robinho, back from Santos, made a happy yet brief visit to England on Tuesday. He is but one of a handful of big names taking umbrage back in Brazil. Over the past year and a half, former FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldo, and long time Real Madrid and World Cup star Roberto Carlos, have signed on for Corinthians of Sao Paolo.
They have been joined by ex-Tottenham left back Gilberto, now at Cruzeiro, Fred, from Olympic Lyon to Fluminense, and Real Zaragoza’s Ewerthan now at Palmeiras.
Much of the turn-around is attributed to the economic boom now taking place in Brazil. The financial growth estimated at 4.7 % in the past four years and projected to reach 5 % by 2012 is now able to compete with Europe’s lagging economy . This also bodes well for current President Luiz Inacio da Silva, who is himself is a die-hard Corinthians supporter. His push for legislation to organize the leagues, curb corruption and bring about sensible fixtures was paramount in the appeal to European bound players. It also includes a comprehensive promotion and relegation system.
Other players who abandoned the riches of European clubs for other reasons include Adriano, who blamed his poor form at Internazionale on depression and longing for Brazil. He left behind a lucrative contract in the black and blue of Milan for the familiar black and red of Rio’s Flamengo. He is also back in the good graces of Dunga while players like AC Milan’s Ronaldinho are left out.
While this exodus has been confirmed in the news, rumors of ex-patriots wanting to return are also spoken aloud. Juliano Belletti and Deco are a pair of Chelsea players pining for the land of Samba too. The Brazilian born Deco, who is a full Portuguese international, wants to raise his family there after competing for his adopted nation at the 2010 Word Cup. While Belletti had already put in his transfer request to play for Flamengo, it was turned down by Chelsea staff. In addition, AS Roma’s Cicinho wants to depart the Italian Capitol and is already in talks with the Sao Paolo club.
The country that will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics is in prime position to offer better money than it could 10 years ago. Its greatest appeal is still the hero worship that comes from being a footballer. After all, many are back to the only nation which has participated in each and every World Cup.
If this football exodus has spiritual connotations, then surely “futbole” is the religion that drives it.
Chuck Zsolnai is the Historical Director at the International Soccer Archives. He has been covering soccer since 1989.
Pepsi has unveiled one of their new TV adverts for the 2010 World Cup which star Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Andrei Arshavin and Kaka.
It’s rare that I come across a TV commercial that makes me smile, but this one from Visa entitled “The Evolution Of Football” definitely is quite endearing and grows on me each time I watch it.
A new photograph of Brazil’s away soccer shirt for the 2010 World Cup has been revealed featuring Robinho wearing the blue and yellow shirt (see picture above).
Designed and manufactured by Nike, the away Brazil football shirt is blue in color and features a round collar and yellow trim.
Sports Illustrated Magazine recently released some candid photographs of four beautiful soccer WAGS who were bodypainted wearing the national colors of their respective countries.
The girls modeled include Bethany Dempsey (wife of US international Clint Dempsey), Melissa Satta (girlfriend of Christian Vieri), Sarah Brandner (girlfriend of Bastian Schweinsteiger) and Abbey Clancy (fiance of Peter Crouch).
Take a look at all of the bodypainting WAGS for the World Cup, including videos and behind the scenes footage. Note that all images are not safe for work.
ESPN has released two soccer videos to promote its coverage of the 2010 World Cup. Both videos (pictured above) are available on YouTube and will presumably be shown on the ESPN network between now and June to promote the TV network’s coverage of the 2010 World Cup, held in South Africa.
Both commercials feature music by U2. One commercial has Martin Tyler recalling some of the most dramatic World Cup moments since his first World Cup in 1978.
The other 2010 World Cup advert features a highlight reel showing some of the biggest names in the sport.
Thanks to Alexander Green for tipping us off about the videos.
The African Cup of Nations will witness an intriguing and much-anticipated clash between two countries which went through a bruising qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010. While Algeria was able to edge out Egypt for the World Cup ticket, the Pharaohs are being referred to as the slight favourites for winning this match to continue in the right path towards retaining their title as African Champions.
During the current tournament the Algerians failed to impress in the group stage yet they have bounced back with style to overcome one of the favourites in the event the Ivory Coast in a thrilling 3-2 victory. The North Africans succeeded in drawing level after falling behind on two occasions to the Ivorians. They will be looking to prove their critics wrong by showing their qualification to South Africa 2010 at the expense of Egypt was not a fluke.
On the other hand, the Egyptian are highly motivated and emotionally charged to beat the Algerians in order to avenge the loss of the World Cup ticket to their rivals. The two countries will be meeting for the fourth time in less than a year in a competitive match which is being likened by Egypt’s Mohamed Zidan to a war! The striker who plays in the German League was visibly fired up as he assessed the match claiming it will be like a matter of “life and death” which is quite alarming considering the chaos, violence and political crisis caused by the last two clashes between the two countries.
While some in the Egyptian camp were playing down the need to avenge the 1-0 loss in Sudan which cost the Pharaohs a place in South Africa, the Egyptians have shown a great desire to put one over their fellow North African Arabs. The fiery message by Zidan is a clear indication of how much this match means to his fellow countrymen and their homeland in general.
The two sides met twice in November with Egypt winning 2-0 to force the play-off match which was duly edged by Algeria. The initial encounter between both countries took place in Algeria in June 2009 with the home side triumphing 3-1. The two countries were tied on points, goal difference and head-to-head meetings.
The hope is for the public to enjoy a spectacle free of any violence given the tragic incidents involving the national team of Togo and the previous clashes between the fans of Egypt and Algeria which prompted FIFA to order an investigation into the events. Keeping in mind the tense moments and adverse repercussions of the Egyptian win which forced the decisive match in Sudan, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Algeria were on the phone on Tuesday to urge calmness, wise actions and setting the previous incidents aside to overcome their differences.
Hopefully the players and fans from both nations will take heed in order for the clash to proceed without any negative incidents. The focus should be on enjoying the heated encounter between two rival countries but without compromising public safety and fair play. Having been on the receiving end when the two countries last met in November, Egypt’s players will be raring to go and itching to put one over the Desert Foxes. Will the Egyptians have the opportunity to compensate for failing to making the World Cup or will the Algerians once again end the Egyptian dream?
