In a world driven by the mighty buck, even our beautiful sport has been taken over. Wealthy clubs financed by external sources, rather than trophies won, run the show.
Today the fans keep a closer eye on the New York stock exchange than the playing field, as the former is what very often determines the future of their club.
The media weighs in big time, as tournaments are blown way out of proportion and presented as the pinnacle of football. Millions and millions watching what they say. The truth is they present it—but are the viewers really watching and buying in to all of this hype?
Ultimately, all other tournaments are dismissed as lowly and insignificant in a bid to prop up the ones needed to be sold on words more than actual results.
All very well orchestrated and actually quite successful. Everyone is expected to play their part. However now and again a lone ranger steps up, a gaucho (Brazilian cowboy) who refuses to play his part. Even with the million dollar salary and all the hype, no one can get Big Phil to be a media puppet and talk the talk.
When asked about his experience at World Cup and Libertadores level and what relevance this would have at Champions League level, there was an insinuation in the question that Champs League was somehow superior. Big Phil quickly picked up on it and had this to say in English:
"If you say this competition is more important than the others, well I say no...never!"
So Scolari has made it very clear that as far as he's concerned, the Champions League is just another tournament, like any other.
Indeed the Champion League determines which club is best in Europe—which is quite an achievement—but still, it is only Europe.
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