The next generation
 

In an astonishing outcome, Brazil won the Copa America 2004 with second stringers.

BASED purely on footballing reasons – and not affairs in his romantic life – Marcelo Bielsa has to be the most miserable manager of a national team this week. After convincing his critics at home that a recuperation of an ailing Argentina is way ahead of schedule, manager Bielsa was forced to report unexpected complications which have delayed their recovery from the “accident” of World Cup 2002.

On course for their 15th Copa America triumph on early Monday morning local time, Bielsa’s team were set to prove their remarkable pedigree in the competition when Leite Ribeiro Adriano defied his burly physique to conjure up a volley-on-the-turn with the last kick in injury time. He tossed Brazil a lifeline that they later converted into an unlikely victory.

Adriano’s exquisite finish would live in the memories of Bielsa for a very long time – it was the catalyst for Brazil’s resurrection and one that meant that his charges have lost to their greatest rivals’ regulars in the World Cup 2006 qualifiers and Brazil’s “reserves” in a month. As far as personal pride is concerned, the cut could not be more brutal for Bielsa.

For his counterpart, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazil’s latest feat on the global platform will be a conclusive vindication of his faith in their local-based players. He would also thank the conveyor belt at club level which churns out talent by the thousands and with such prolificacy that footballers such as Barcelona midfielder Deco are forced to seek refuge in adopted nations.

It was not long ago that Pele divined that Brazil will struggle to reach World Cup tournaments if the chaos and disorganisation of their domestic football continue to disrupt the game. Pele’s alarm at the slump of the Brazil’s national sport was borne out of Brazil’s struggle to reach the previous World Cup in Asia from the gruelling South American qualifying rounds.

When he made his pronouncements in late 2001 as the former Sport Minister, Pele pointed out the corruption and mismanagement that pockmarked the Brazilian game. He claimed that the money that flowed in from the sale of their players to clubs in Europe did not go into the clubs but the pockets of those directly involved in the negotiations of the players’ release.

As Brazil bask in the historic glory of beating Argentina to the Copa America 2004, such stories of mismanagement would be the last matter on the minds of the fans and forces-that-be in Brazil. If ever Pele looks back at the labour and heartache that went into producing the legislation – diluted to such an extent that it would have been preposterous to still call it “Pele’s Law” when it was passed four years ago – he could only afford himself a wry smile.

How could a nation that only experienced a semblance of professional football organisation quite recently win the second most prestigious South American tournament – the first remains the World Cup qualifiers mini-tourney – with their shadow squad?

Football in Brazil has only benefited from an organised league as of last year. Prior to this, Brazilian supporters were torn between various regional leagues that ran at the same time as state championships, with a “Supercup” and “Champions Cup” thrown in for good measure. At least they were spared of punishing schedules when the national championship was slotted for the second half of the season.

Amidst these confusing events resides the unique Brazilian ability to produce footballers of glittering talent and imposing technique to justify their tag as the perennial favourites for almost all the tournaments that they have contested.

Observers had secretly hoped that Brazil would fail spectacularly in Copa America when coach Parreira was forced to leave out Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Kaka from the squad to avoid any protest from their respective clubs when he recalls them for the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Argentina, who were also without three key players in Juan Sebastian Veron, Hernan Crespo and Walter Samuel, were installed as favourites and were expected to romp home in Peru. But Brazil’s rivals discounted the impact of yet another star striker in Adriano. Brazil’s No.7’s seven goals handed Brazil their seventh Copa America title but he was hardly a name that would strike terror in the hearts of opponents.

Indeed, the only names that were familiar to English football enthusiasts were Edu of Arsenal and Manchester United’s Kleberson – who limped out of the tournament with an injury. The more serious United supporters would also remember Adriano, the Inter Milan goal-getter – he was only asked to return to the San Siro from a loan attachment with Parma last season – was touted to be part of player-plus-cash swap involving Ryan Giggs early last year.

Adriano not only succeeded in replacing World Cup 2002 hero Ronaldo – he will be facing the same task when he reports for training with Inter again – but was voted the Player of the Tournament. He, however, is just one player on the verge of greatness and there are many would-be Ronaldinhos, Roberto Carloses and Kakas from Brazil in the upcoming World Cup.

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar may have won generous plaudits for his role in the two penalty shoot-outs that earned Brazil a Copa America place and their eventual triumph but he is the most capable among the three. His deputy Fabio Deivson Lopes Maciel first hit the headlines for missing the plane that took Brazil’s patched-up squad to the Confederations Cup last June.

The Vasco da Gama net-minder’s position as the top choice then was only because Julio Cesar was tied up with his club’s Copa Brasil Final quest. Flamengo’s Fabio is, however, tipped to make the cut for the senior Brazil team ahead of Cesar to challenge Dida of AC Milan for the No.1 jersey.

The skipper of the team Alexsandro De Souza of Fenerbahce is the creative fulcrum of Brazil’s midfield and renowned for his vision and passing range. Alex, who has just signed a three-year deal with Turkish champions Fenerbahce, was a surprise contender – never mind captain – for the first team given his lack of discipline.

But Parreira and his amply decorated technical director and coaching great Mario Zagalo persisted with him and were rewarded – alongside former Flamengo colleague Adriano – with his decisive passes. Alex will now compete for the role of Brazil’s prime playmaker with Kaka – Rivaldo’s successor at AC Milan.

Diego Ribas da Cunha came into prominence on the world stage long before he was linked to a shock move to Tottenham Hotspur this year. This playmaker’s link play with Santos team-mate Robinho – whose inconsistency and commitment led to a temporary exile from the squad – has been the talk of Brazil and when Pele starts to rave about the duo at his former stomping ground, one can consider them “arrived”.

Though Diego did talk up a Tottenham transfer in late January, it is quite plain that a footballer of his stature would hardly want to be in the immodest surroundings of White Hart Lane. Winger Robinho Robson de Souza has been drawing rave reviews – and the attention of Primera Liga’s Barcelona – for his displays on the left berth at Santos and Brazil’s Under-23 team.

A fleet-footed player of nimble touches and superb work rate, Robinho turned 20 in January and is weighing up the options set before him. But Santos – which claimed their first-ever Brazilian championship last year on the back of the performances from Diego and Robinho – dread to sell their most valuable players despite having the searchlights of European giants trained on their starlets.

It would be too simple to brand Dudu Cearense Alexandro Silva de Souza or just Dudu as the next Dunga on the basis of the holding role that he helmed with such panache with the modest Vitoria from the state of Bahia before his transfer to Kashiwa Reysol. Parreira rates Dudu for his exceptional passing ability and is yet to unleash him on a consistent basis for Brazil.

There are many Dudus out there in Brazil. But coach Parreira is not an individual who attaches huge importance on reputation alone – judging by his treatment of Dudu, Alex, the under-performing Diego and even the volatile striker Luis Fabiano. Parreira’s job is to nurture these youngsters and to ensure their seamless transition to the senior squad.

The old guard will be back in full force for the World Cup qualifiers but it is the amalgamation of both A and B teams of Brazil for the next major tournament that will prepare supporters – and the likes of Bielsa – for a roller-coaster ride. The upcoming Olympics will all the poorer for the shock absence of Brazil’s Under-23 team – it could be that Athens’s loss was Peru’s gain.