AJC.com > Sports > Soccer blog > Archives > 2006 > May > 26
Friday, May 26, 2006
Why can’t we all be Brazilians?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Associated Press
Ever since they began their training camp in a bucolic Swiss mountain village a few days ago, the Brazilian team has been besieged by fans. And not really the locals.
On Friday, the fervor reached such a point that this woman broke through the security detail to embrace Ronaldinho. He hardly seems bothered by the intrusion.
Heidi, ho. How did all these people get there? I’ve seen team sambas in the streets, thousands waiting for tickets to watch training in a “stadium” that seats 5K. A mini-Carneval somewhere near the banks of the Lucerne.
All week I have marveled at the photos coming across the wires of the various World Cup teams in their respective training modes. The Italians were doing all sorts of calisthenics. The French were forced to hoof it up the snowy Alps. We know now how hard The Bruce has been pushing the Yanks in the teeming metropolis of Cary.
Oh, yes, the defending champions have been doing some hard work — I guess. But every snapshot I see has them smiling, even at the most boring, routine drills. Except for Ronaldo, who looks like he can’t move any better than me. Today there was Emerson juggling balls. Yesterday Robinho playfully stuck out his tongue and laughed. Maybe the photographers assigned to them are just turning out better shots, but it sure beats the hell out of the Italian team photo I saw yesterday. They all looked like they were in a police lineup. (And not only keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who has been questioned by police for alleged sports betting activities.)
Am I just playing into a familiar stereotype about Brazil? There is a dark side to the sport, especially the corruption that dominates the federation and professional leagues, and the terrible poverty that has defined the childhoods of so many of its best players.
I suppose my point — I’m fumbling to come up with one — is that for just about every other country, all this is work, and they make it look like work. Brazil makes it look like play, even though the expectations are more enormous than anyone. Regardless of how the tournament plays out, it’s such a delight to see the joy, the playfulness, the FUN of the game expressed in their faces, and in their presence.
It means the World Cup is just around the corner, and that’s the best time of all.
