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.
6 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jon Marum 9 months ago
He was saying the Champions' League is no more important than the FA Cup, the League title or the Carling cup... trust you to conveniently not use the rest of his quotes from that interview to add weight to your campaign against European football. lol
Im sorry S, but the libertadores just isnt as good as the champions league... yes the passion and atmosphere in the stands is incredible, but the football just isnt as good a standard. Fact
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S B 9 months ago
I honestly disagree at least based on the last Champs League and Libertadores.
I watched both tourneys closely. The best matches were the Boca - Fluminense and the Fluminense- LDU ones. Manchester and Chelsea was boring and ended on penalties....bad penalties I might add. Cleasea ended the ordeal with a slip.
I was neutral throughout and maybe even bias towards Champs league as I watched the Turk matches as well. I regret not watching more of LDU last year. I only saw them in the final and it was then I realised that their getting there was no fluke.
Hey I heard AIG got a bail out - good news for Manchester.
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S B 9 months ago
I`d go even further and say that if it were not for Messi last year`s Champs League ws devoid of talent as Kaka and Ronaldinho took a break and with Adriano and Riqelme at home.
The one they tried to prop up on words was Cristiano LOL. Winker never won anything at a world level. LOL. Not even a Euro Cup LOL..
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illya mclellan 9 months ago
devoid of talent? come S don't be so arrogant, you are talking about a lot of good footballers when you make ridiculous comments like that. maybe they would have added to it but to say such a thing is nonsense.
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illya mclellan 9 months ago
i watched four CL games the other day and as far as it goes after a month of football I saw nothing better in the internationals and from the America's. It was fast paced and skillful with a good energy. I would be the last to say it is more important than other competitions but the quality is not far off the top of the pile.
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S B 9 months ago
I totally agree.
Sometimes I try to fight the arrogance around here with more of the same. Not good. Only makes things worse.
CL is great.
Last year however the two matches that made me spill my beer on the carpet both came from the Libertadores. That`s why I get a bit peeved when they say Libetadores is no good.
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