In this World Cup, in addition to Brazil, I’m rooting for Latin American countries. And I invite readers to do so too. If the argument that we are all Latinos, despite the difference in language often separating us from other countries, is not enough, we have other reasons.
Firstly, as Idelber Avelar wrote, the idea of a World Cup was promoted by South America, following the success of the Uruguayan team in the years leading up to the first edition of the tournament, in 1930.
In total, the South American teams have already brought ten trophies to the continent: Brazil in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, Uruguay in 1930 and 1950 and Argentina in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
For those who stick to the present, here’s another argument: Brazilian football today benefits greatly from the talent of our neighbors. So, nothing more fair than celebrating them when they defend their national teams. Give back for what they do for the clubs.
At this year’s World Cup, seven teams, six of them South American, have players who play in the Brazilian Championship, for a total of 32 athletes. The number of players is a record, according to data from the International Olympic Committee, surpassing the 1974 edition, with 27 called up for the national championship (22 in the Brazilian team).
Now, distribution is more dispersed. Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay lead the ranking, each with seven players from Brasileirão clubs.
Uruguay, which inspired the creation of the World Cup, hosted the first edition and was the first champion is a case in itself, even though it didn’t do so well in this cycle. Anyone who has been to Montevideo and had the opportunity to visit the Centenário stadium, a pioneering venue for the World Cup, knows that there isn’t just any stadium there, they feel the weight of history.
At Celeste, you don’t have to be a Flamengo fan to applaud Arrascaeta, and hope that he recovers in time for the World Cup, De La Cruz and Varela. Neither from Rio de Janeiro to admire Canobbio, nor from Palmeiras to value Piquerez and Emiliano Martínez.
Paraguay, back in the World Cup after a 16-year absence, took a “Brazilian” squad. How beautiful the fans’ party was in Asunción, as they said goodbye to Albirroja.
The team has in its ranks Gustavo Gómez, Maurício and Sosa, from Palmeiras; Balbuena, from Grêmio; Bobadilha, from São Paulo; Junior Alonso, from Atlético-MG; and Isidro Pitta, from Bragantino.
It is true that the Paraguayans’ debut in the World Cup, against the United States, was frustrating, especially considering a team with a defensive tradition. —it was the second least leaked in the South American Qualifiers. Nobody expected a 4-1 defeat.
Colombia and Ecuador also have their fair share of Brasileirão. Arias (Palmeiras), Carrascal (Flamengo), Gómez (Vasco) and Portilla (Athletico-PR) are in the first selection.
Plata (Flamengo), Felix Torres (Internacional) and Preçado, Franco and Minda, all from Atlético-MG, on the second. Owner of the best defense in the Qualifiers, Ecuador stumbled in the first game of the World Cup, losing 1-0 to Ivory Coast.
Also Latin, but without Brasileirão players, hosts Mexico and Costa Rica have talents that deserve the support. One example is Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
At the opening of the World Cup, when the host team beat South Africa 2-0, the athlete became a record holder by participating in six World Cups. Even on the bench, he was equal to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in this regard.
To top it off, what about Argentina? Yes, I support the Albiceleste, as long as it doesn’t appear in Brazil’s path before the final. Let’s think about Messi and how beautiful it was to see him win the 2022 World Cup.
And let us remember that, after 20 years, the Argentine team takes a Brazilian player to the USA, Flaco López, from Palmeiras. For my part, there is still a personal argument. A good friend’s two children are Argentine. If they are happy, I will be too.
LINK PRESENT: Did you like this text? Subscribers can access seven free accesses from any link per day. Just click the blue F below.
