For us, the Brazilian people, it is just the best news in years, maybe since we won the World Cup in 2002. We are the country with the best football players on the planet and get disappointed every time we watch them leave to some European team.
We are the kids who don't answer "astronaut" when people ask what we want to be when we grow up; we all want to be football players. Me included. I am a 26 year old girl who had a little girl's dream to be what Marta is today for the female Brazilian squad.
And if Brazil is going to host the biggest football tournament in the world, I can't expect anything else but to see the whole country talking about it; in school, at work, at the bar. You might find a few who are negative about the whole thing, they might even use the words political, money, corruption. And I am sure they aren't wrong.
But I try to focus on those who believe there isn't a perfect nation, where political issues aren't part of every major event, where money doesn't go to the wrong hands sometimes and where corruption doesn't exist.
I try to focus on those people who love football like I do and other millions around the globe who share the same passion. And I am sure, I am really sure, non-Brazilian people had a smile, even if it was just a little one, when they said Brazil was hosting the Cup.
We won't it five times, we are the only nation to be in every single one of the Cups since its start. We deserve it.




Comments
Re: Football Is Coming Home
By luyen, December 10, 2007 at 14:39For a lot of people (North Americans maybe more), Brazil is like the New York Yankees, the Montreal Canadiens in hockey...they are dynasties, i have never seen more skilled players than Ronaldhino, Ronaldo, and Marta play the game just in terms of pure ball handling.
In 2002 i fell in love with soccer, it's an amazing game...and i'm sure there's an ugly side to it (money, politics, referees), it's a game I find so passionate and exciting...i got to see South Korea (my wife's native country) do the impossible, and that was pretty cool.
Anyway, i'm so happy for the people of Brazil - because soccer really belongs in Brazil, just like Hockey does in Canada...
Re: Football Is Coming Home
By senhoritacin, December 12, 2007 at 13:24I am glad you're happy for us :)
Thank you.
Re: Football Is Coming Home
By Robyn Stubbs, December 10, 2007 at 15:34Have you seen "Once In A LIfetime: The Extraordinary Story Of The New York Cosmos? It's a great film and goes to show that politics and money play into EVERYTHING - even the world's most adored sport. :)
Re: Football Is Going Home
By Robyn Stubbs, December 6, 2007 at 09:22I remember the last World Cup - on Vancouver's Commercial Drive, Brazil fans were making themselves known with great pride! I can only imagine what the World Cup tournament brings to your country! Best of luck in 2014! On a side note, can you believe England won't be in the next one? Egads.
Re: Football Is Going Home
By senhoritacin, December 12, 2007 at 11:46England won't be in the next one because they didn't qualify for the Euro tournament?
Re: Football Is Going Home
By Robyn Stubbs, December 12, 2007 at 12:00You're quite correct - it's the Euro tournament they didn't qualify for ... With all the football going in my house lately, I never know who's playing for what these days!
Re: Football Is Going Home
By locdao, December 10, 2007 at 15:14No England? What is going on? When I was in East Africa the most common question I was asked is are you a Manchester United or Arsenal fan. Hopefully a few teams from Africa make it deep into the tournament.