The Mysteries of Football Greatness

McCarra again …

Despite the means available to a handful of clubs who can aspire to sign extraordinary performers from around the globe, many people still think of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winners as the finest of all teams. It emerged, however, from utter chaos. Joao Saldanha, for instance, was forced out as coach. His past as a journalist cannot have helped and his reservations about Pele’s eyesight were not crowd-pleasers either.Saldanha had even argued that Tostao and Pele could not function together. With him gone, the pair were to be a glorious combination. They were given their freedom by Saldanha’s successor, Mario Zagallo, who knew that there must be a solution that did not entail discarding genius.

A line-up such as Brazil’s in 1970 will never be built to order, irrespective of budget. There is always an intangible element in the creation of an unforgettable line-up. We should be glad of the chance to see Barcelona and the others in the Champions League, but the mysteries of football greatness cannot be cracked even with the means of billionaire owners.

Money is not necessarily enough. Real Madrid’s performance this year will be a litmus test as to a) the actual quality of Cristiano Ronaldo; and b) how much CR depended upon the balance, the quality and the unusual ability of Giggs & Co. to turn the football screw just when everyone — all twenty two — were completely puffed.

Soccer Forums

Champs League Schedule

Category: Champions League

Tags: Champions League

Subscribe   The Offside RSS Feeds

Print

Share