The FIFA 2022 World Cup is going on in Qatar. But for me like many other fans all over the world, the loss of Brazil diminished the allure of this tournament. Watching the Football World Cup matches has been a habit since 1986. That was the first World Cup to be telecast live from Mexico and despite the odd hours, me and my Dad stayed awake late into the night to watch the matches. The 1986 World Cup was special because the world of football got a new star called Diego Maradona. He sizzled with the ball, created magic out of it and caressed the passes with the precision of a surgeon to take his team to World Cup glory.
My Dad having been a University team player introduced to me all the basics of football; rules of penalty, off sides, free kicks etc. He also rubbed on to me the fascination he held for the special kind of football played by Brazil. I listened in awe when he spoke of the legends of Brazilian football like Pele, Tostao, Garrincha, Jairzinho Socrates, Zico and others. Ever since, I have watched the progress of Brazilian football in the World Cup. They say in Brazil football is a religion. It is life itself or more than life. Except a few tournaments , where coaches had restricted the players to a more cautious or defensive approach, Brazil has played a brand of football that showed flair, artistry and beauty. Generations of Brazilian players from Socrates, Zico, Careca, Romario, Ronaldo, Kaka, Rivaldo, Bebeto, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Dunga, Neymar have displayed that special trait of Brazilian wizardry and finesse the world experienced first from the likes of Pele.
But football is not all about attack and flair. One has to ensure that the other team does not outwit you to score more goals. Brazil’s loss to Germany in a World cup Semi final and the recent loss to Croatia in a World Cup Quarter final were real heartbreak moments for me. That dour, doughty, disciplined Croatia could go past an attacking and skilful Brazil, through penalties was something I could not digest. A team which oozed talent and could score such beautiful goals against Serbia, South Korea and Croatia could go down was a rude awakening to reality.
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Football is called the beautiful game. It brings tears of joy and happiness and also agony. When Brazil displayed why football is a team game with moments of individual brilliance, I felt true delight and wonder but when they exited not to be seen on the big stage for another 4 years it was sheer agony.
When I watch a Brazilian football team in full flow, weaving their web of passes to go past goal, I see the essence of creative expression, free flowing will and the power of imagination. Over the years several World Cup goals have left an imprint on my mind. Maradona’s miraculous dribble goal against England, Romario’s strikes, Zinedane Zidane’s headers, Salvatore Schillachi’s exploits, the forays of Klinsmann, Klose and Podolski, the tika taka of Spain and so on. For me the joy that the beautiful game gives is best represented by the Brazilian team in full flow.
I am willing to wait another 4 years and beseech the Gods of Soccer to let artistry triumph for once to reaffirm my faith in the supremacy of poetry and art in football. Meanwhile two strong teams : Argentina and France will clash for their final summit in an epic final on Sunday.