Brazil!

Time to look at somewhere a little more pleasant as the cold snap hits the UK. As hosts of the next football World Cup and the Olympics, the focus on Brazil will be huge in the next few years. According to latest reports stadium progress is a little slow but  expect them to be finished in time. The FIFA Confederations Cup (a prelude to the real thing) is being held in Brazil at some of the new and upgraded grounds from Fortaleza in the North to Rio de Janeiro in the South.

The ground which is famous throughout the world is the Estádio do Maracanã, host ground of the 1950 World Cup and scene of the Brazilian triumph over fellow South Americans Uruguay in the final. The ground itself has gone through a massive redevelopment, forcing  some of the Rio based clubs which tend to play the big local derbies there to play at alternate venues around Rio. Could you imagine Chesterfield for example being forced to play at Staveley to host League Two fixtures? Well that’s what happened to the big Rio clubs, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminese and Vasco da Gama. The first three of these clubs have played their games at the Estádio Olímpico, somewhat smaller but still just under 50k capacity.

As regards to domestic football in Brazil, Fluminense have just wrapped up their fourth title in dominant form. It was a battle between Flu and Atlético Mineiro, who have Ronaldinho in their ranks alongside former Manchester City and Everton striker, Jo. The “Flu” have been in tremendous form for the second half of the season eclipsing Miniero’s lead at the top and forging forward. Led by Frederico Chaves Guedes, also known as Fred, the striker who bagged more than 20 goals during the season alongside talented forwards such as Wellington Nem and the attacking midfielder Thiago Neves.The foundation  of their successful season was built on former Chelsea midfielder, Deco, and the wonderfully named central defender, Gum. Fluminense were imperious during the season, not allowing the Neymar inspired Santos any glory at all. Even Botafogo joined the superstar signing race by making an offer Clarence Seedorf couldn’t refuse. The mercurial Dutchman failed to help Botafogo win the league;  however I wouldn’t rule them out next season. By then Seedorf will be 37.

Brazil has always had a love/hate relationship with FIFA, and this has been highlighted recently with comments made by Jerome Valcke, the secretary general of Football’s World Governing body. Valcke has stated for some time that Brazil wouldn’t be ready for the World Cup in 2014, this caused a diplomatic stir in Brazil. Valcke is in charge with working with Brazil in the build-up to the competition. Valcke has since commented that Brazil and FIFA will never get a divorce, hardly inspiring words from a man so close to the competition generals. For so many years we have heard this from people wishing to score political points, you can look back to our own Olympics during the summer for example.However, Brazilian politicians have hit back strongly with Brazil’s sports minister saying, “The economic boost Brazil will receive is huge, the way through football is to tie in development and an upgrade of Brazilian of society, not for point scoring”.

Football in Brazil at present is not as strong as it has been, the crowds are down and the national team have just re-appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the man to lead them to winning the World Cup. Scolari managed the Seleção  back in 2002 World Cup and lead them to their fifth world title. Scolari’s recent coaching experience was at Palmeiras where he resigned before the end of the season, as he failed to keep them up, although received much criticism for “not going down with his ship”. However, Scolari did win the Copa Do Brasil with the club which will mean they compete in the Copa Libertadores despite being in Serie B.

The world expects so much of Brazil in the next few years and there will be a few hiccups along the way I’m sure............and in my view Brazil is the ideal country to host the world's greatest tournament! 

This article was first published in the Chesterfield FC programme on Sat 15th December 2012. For all the latest news on Chesterfield FC please go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk