The round of 16 of the Club World Cup begins this Saturday (28) here in the United States. All Brazilians – Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo – qualified, with only one defeat in 12 games. Pep Guardiola, Xabi Alonso and Luis Enrique praised them. International press says confrontations between Europeans and South Americans are the most exciting. The tournament is world showcase for players and clubs.
Even so, there are those who feel extremely bothered by the (little) importance that Europeans give to competition, with reactions ranging from heated debates to offenses to journalists who only report facts. Yes, they consider the club World Cup less than their home championships, such as Premier League, or the Champions League. So what?
I talk to English friends, and none, nor your friends, are watching. At the end of the club season, there is football fatigue in England. It has cricket on TV, will start the Wimbledon tournament. Most pubs don’t even spend the matches. It is a fact.
Even so, ESPN reporter João Castelo Branco was attacked on social networks by those who did not conform to a report showing empty pubs in London before Flamengo x Chelsea, with testimonials from disinterested English. This is a professional journalistic investigation. Another fact.
The heat affects more, yes, who plays in Europe, and who says that are players who are here and experts on the subject. There is physical and mental wear at the end of the season.
But the fans don’t have to resent, as if all this drew up your team. It does not fall apart.
I don’t know if it is such a mutt complex that unconsciously makes us see you smaller in the face of the “first world”, depending on the recognition of Europeans to feel valued. In football and in life, we do not have to depend on the validation of the other to determine what is important to us.
Brazilian fans give the tournament color. His teams won powers like PSG and Chelsea. The world looks with admiration to a talent exporting country. These are also facts.
Football, for those who cheer, must be entertainment. For those who are manager, the World Cup can serve as a lesson on how Brazilian sport could be even better, more organized.
Two sports women deserve to be remembered and recognized this week.
Kirsty Coventry, a former Zimbabwe’s former Nadadora, took office as president of the International Olympic Committee. She is the first African woman and first person to hold the position in 131 years of existence of the entity.
Already Faith Kipyegon, a three -time Olympic champion of the 1,500 m, tried to become the first woman running away from the mile (1.61 km) in less than four minutes. He completed the course at 4min06s42, 1s22 faster than his world record. Time will not be approved by the World Athletics because it was in an unofficial event and Kenyan had men among the rabbits – athletes that help dictate the rhythm. Kipyegon said he will try again and inspired runners around the world, including this amateur who writes to you. After all, the worst result is not even trying.
The columnist is in the United States as a member of the organization responsible for the official transmission of the Club World Cup
Gift Link: Did you like this text? Subscriber can release seven free hits from any link per day. Just click on F Blue below.
