The state of International Soccer by Rodrigo Peres

A monthly soccer column by Rodrigo Peres Lobo.

Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo

After last month’s Brazil-Argentina match (for the South America World Cup qualifying phase), there was a single question on everyone’s lips: when will the artful playing style return to the South American field? But in reality, this sleepy 0-0 final score exemplifies an issue concerning all international soccer teams.

What we’ve seen in the recently finished UEFA Euro 2008 (the European championship) can also be described as a disappointment. Before the competition started, Portuguese player Cristiano Ronaldo was a favorite for the league’s best player award. Yet, by the end of the championship, Mr. Ronaldo had scored only once – and his team left the competition after the quarter-finals. On the same note, players like Ballack (Germany), Ibrahimovic (Sweeden), and Thierry Henry (France), all stars in their respective teams, also played below expectation. And even the beautiful presentations made by Netherlands ­– on the first games of the competition – weren’t enough, as they were also defeated during the quarter-finals.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GjOjL_S11M

But none of this comes as a surprise – and actually, this is the probable result of a new trend in international soccer. Physical strength, defense, and blocking the enemy’s forwards are now a team’s priority, while an individual player’s talent has become less and less important. Today, national teams have two or three innate talents, at most, and everyone’s favorite strategy is first, to avoid being defeated first – and only then, to win the game.

In fact, this trend has been more and more visible in the last two decades – and especially since the 1994 World Cup, when the final match between Brazil and Italy ended (to the desperation of the American hosts) with a disappointing 0-0. Fortunately, there are penalty kicks, and Brazil brought home its 4^th World Cup title.

To further complicate the matter, this new "school of playing" is being passed onto today’s younger generation, and coaches no longer teach ball control, passing, and dribbling. Again, the focus is on strength, and the more physically stronger a player is, the better off his team will be. Even a forward is more valuable if he’s strong, so he can resist the increasingly common confrontations with the opponents.

Talent isn’t completely ignored yet, but it should remain as the most important skill on the field. Many Brazilians, when transferred to European teams, are forced to adapt to Europe’s demanding training routines and more physically focused games. But luckily, the talent of many up-and-coming Brazilian players will survive this new trend. Another question remains though: until when?

By Rodrigo Peres Lobo

Cristiano Ronaldo was a favorite for the European League's Best Player award.