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When you hear the name 'Brazil' in football, the names Pelé, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and other great stars instantly appear in your mind.
Your head is also filled with thoughts of their numorous classic World Cup winning years, lifting the Jules Remait trophy over and over again.
A side that is about as threatening as a kitten drining milk never comes to your attention, but that could soon be what we think of when we hear the word... 'Brazil'.
Do you know where and how these top South American stars begin their roads to fame and glory???
Believe it or not, it all begins in the run-down Slums and Shanty Towns that can be found on the waste-land outskirts of the likes of Rio de Janiero and other top tourist attractions in Brazil. They may not be the greatest of places to live - and they're definitley nothing like the homes of the multi-million pound earning footballers we know today, but this is where it all began for the likes of Ronaldinho, Denilson, and even the great Pelé! With very poor conditions and only scraps of metal and cardboard to use as shelter, there isn't really much for the average suffering human being to do in the average slum.
Football is a highly popular sport in every country across the globe. This is the only means of entertainment available to the unfortunate South Americans, and they therefore eat, drink and sleep football 24 hours-a-day - much more than we do!
With all that spare time and a football at their feet, any youngster who keeps at it will soon begin to develop a real nack for footballing talent and skill - even with the most battered and abused balls they can find.
After they've reached a certain age, maybe in their mid-teens at the latest, one or many more of the football-living lads will gain recognition from a local club, and be given the chance to impress with all those flicks and trikcs for some work that will assist his starving familliy's financial needs much better than his own father!
Juts like everywhere else in the world, youngsters are highly influenced by the players at the top, leading them to believe they can be that great also - if not better! Many young Brazillians practicing every day and every night have taken to the likes of many Brazillians over the years which I believe has kept the Brazillian national side one to reckon with at the highest level!
It's pretty obvious to everyone that attackers (mainly goalscorers) are the most popular players around, and the ones that everyone wants to be like. Not just because of their massive wage packets, but it's really down to their goal-scoring and flair.
So many youngsters have taken a liking to all the greats, from Pelé (possibly the greatest) upto the the current breed of Ronaldo , Rivaldo, Denilson, and even the rising stars like Washington and Ronaldinho.
Claudio Taffarell is one of the best and well-known Brazillian goalkeepers money can buy. He's nearing full-retirement now, and Nélson Dida (AC Milan) appears to be the only keeper capable of taking the no.1 jersey for a long while. Memorable Brazillian defenders include the likes of Roberto 'bend-the-ball' Carlos, Junior Baiano and Cafu.
Having these guys in your backline isn't gunna guarrentee you the World Cup and maybe not even a good English League Cup run!
I believe that the defence is and always has been Brazil's biggest problem. They haven't lifted the Jules Remait (World Cup) trophy for a good few years now, and I think that problems at the back could point to 'why'. All teams seem to have most problems in the defensive half, look at how Man United have thrown the league away after lossing Jaap Stam to lazio - with most of the blame going on the defence (Barthez and Blanc, mainly)!
I believe the same effect is happening with Brazil and it won't be ending anytime soon. Like I said, many youngsters model themselves on the attacking half as there just isn't the same kind of appeal at the back.
So if no-one's going to go-in-goal stay back in defend then Brazil are surely going to suffer in the future and see their World Reputation rapidly decrease as they slide down the World Rankings table.
Their only real chance of saving themselves is now, and something must be done to make the defence more appealing to youngsters. They BFA and maybe even FIFA must act now, or see the likes of Pelé in floods of tears as their home country drops to the same level as it's slums, in football.
Your head is also filled with thoughts of their numorous classic World Cup winning years, lifting the Jules Remait trophy over and over again.
A side that is about as threatening as a kitten drining milk never comes to your attention, but that could soon be what we think of when we hear the word... 'Brazil'.
Do you know where and how these top South American stars begin their roads to fame and glory???
Believe it or not, it all begins in the run-down Slums and Shanty Towns that can be found on the waste-land outskirts of the likes of Rio de Janiero and other top tourist attractions in Brazil. They may not be the greatest of places to live - and they're definitley nothing like the homes of the multi-million pound earning footballers we know today, but this is where it all began for the likes of Ronaldinho, Denilson, and even the great Pelé! With very poor conditions and only scraps of metal and cardboard to use as shelter, there isn't really much for the average suffering human being to do in the average slum.
Football is a highly popular sport in every country across the globe. This is the only means of entertainment available to the unfortunate South Americans, and they therefore eat, drink and sleep football 24 hours-a-day - much more than we do!
With all that spare time and a football at their feet, any youngster who keeps at it will soon begin to develop a real nack for footballing talent and skill - even with the most battered and abused balls they can find.
After they've reached a certain age, maybe in their mid-teens at the latest, one or many more of the football-living lads will gain recognition from a local club, and be given the chance to impress with all those flicks and trikcs for some work that will assist his starving familliy's financial needs much better than his own father!
Juts like everywhere else in the world, youngsters are highly influenced by the players at the top, leading them to believe they can be that great also - if not better! Many young Brazillians practicing every day and every night have taken to the likes of many Brazillians over the years which I believe has kept the Brazillian national side one to reckon with at the highest level!
It's pretty obvious to everyone that attackers (mainly goalscorers) are the most popular players around, and the ones that everyone wants to be like. Not just because of their massive wage packets, but it's really down to their goal-scoring and flair.
So many youngsters have taken a liking to all the greats, from Pelé (possibly the greatest) upto the the current breed of Ronaldo , Rivaldo, Denilson, and even the rising stars like Washington and Ronaldinho.
Claudio Taffarell is one of the best and well-known Brazillian goalkeepers money can buy. He's nearing full-retirement now, and Nélson Dida (AC Milan) appears to be the only keeper capable of taking the no.1 jersey for a long while. Memorable Brazillian defenders include the likes of Roberto 'bend-the-ball' Carlos, Junior Baiano and Cafu.
Having these guys in your backline isn't gunna guarrentee you the World Cup and maybe not even a good English League Cup run!
I believe that the defence is and always has been Brazil's biggest problem. They haven't lifted the Jules Remait (World Cup) trophy for a good few years now, and I think that problems at the back could point to 'why'. All teams seem to have most problems in the defensive half, look at how Man United have thrown the league away after lossing Jaap Stam to lazio - with most of the blame going on the defence (Barthez and Blanc, mainly)!
I believe the same effect is happening with Brazil and it won't be ending anytime soon. Like I said, many youngsters model themselves on the attacking half as there just isn't the same kind of appeal at the back.
So if no-one's going to go-in-goal stay back in defend then Brazil are surely going to suffer in the future and see their World Reputation rapidly decrease as they slide down the World Rankings table.
Their only real chance of saving themselves is now, and something must be done to make the defence more appealing to youngsters. They BFA and maybe even FIFA must act now, or see the likes of Pelé in floods of tears as their home country drops to the same level as it's slums, in football.
I don't really think a new coach would make a difference.
I still believe that Brazil's problem is that they are a team of great individuals in the attack, but their defence is fading!
They've been through quite a few coaches, and they still haven't won the World Cup since the 70's or something! That also means they've passed through generations of players, with each containing less and less quality defenders.
But if a new coach could sort their defence then by all means i'd agree that the World Cup isn't too far away from them!
The reason they play with wing-backs is to aid the defence. They have to rely on the likes of Cafu and Robbie Carlos to get back and help out the area they'd normally be tormenting. A 4-4-2 might help, but with attacking instincts, they'd soon be up in the opposition's 18-yard box!
I still believe that Brazil's problem is that they are a team of great individuals in the attack, but their defence is fading!
They've been through quite a few coaches, and they still haven't won the World Cup since the 70's or something! That also means they've passed through generations of players, with each containing less and less quality defenders.
But if a new coach could sort their defence then by all means i'd agree that the World Cup isn't too far away from them!
The reason they play with wing-backs is to aid the defence. They have to rely on the likes of Cafu and Robbie Carlos to get back and help out the area they'd normally be tormenting. A 4-4-2 might help, but with attacking instincts, they'd soon be up in the opposition's 18-yard box!
I think Brazil still have the players to be a major force in the World Cup - they just need to get in a manager who can bring their obviously talented players together. (Sound familiar to anyone? *Cough* Sven *Cough* England *Cough*)
Any team who can field players such as Rivaldo, Carlos, Dida, Denilson etc. are never going to be too far away from the finals. Basically I think they just suffer from pre-Sven England syndrome - they aren't playing the right way. Anyone who tries to take the Brazil out of the football team is not going to get results. WHo heard of a Brazil playing the long-ball? They need a new coach, who will allow them to get the ball down and play. Believe me, it won't be long before Brazil lift the World Cup again!
Any team who can field players such as Rivaldo, Carlos, Dida, Denilson etc. are never going to be too far away from the finals. Basically I think they just suffer from pre-Sven England syndrome - they aren't playing the right way. Anyone who tries to take the Brazil out of the football team is not going to get results. WHo heard of a Brazil playing the long-ball? They need a new coach, who will allow them to get the ball down and play. Believe me, it won't be long before Brazil lift the World Cup again!
When you hear the name 'Brazil' in football, the names Pelé, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and other great stars instantly appear in your mind.
Your head is also filled with thoughts of their numorous classic World Cup winning years, lifting the Jules Remait trophy over and over again.
A side that is about as threatening as a kitten drining milk never comes to your attention, but that could soon be what we think of when we hear the word... 'Brazil'.
Do you know where and how these top South American stars begin their roads to fame and glory???
Believe it or not, it all begins in the run-down Slums and Shanty Towns that can be found on the waste-land outskirts of the likes of Rio de Janiero and other top tourist attractions in Brazil. They may not be the greatest of places to live - and they're definitley nothing like the homes of the multi-million pound earning footballers we know today, but this is where it all began for the likes of Ronaldinho, Denilson, and even the great Pelé! With very poor conditions and only scraps of metal and cardboard to use as shelter, there isn't really much for the average suffering human being to do in the average slum.
Football is a highly popular sport in every country across the globe. This is the only means of entertainment available to the unfortunate South Americans, and they therefore eat, drink and sleep football 24 hours-a-day - much more than we do!
With all that spare time and a football at their feet, any youngster who keeps at it will soon begin to develop a real nack for footballing talent and skill - even with the most battered and abused balls they can find.
After they've reached a certain age, maybe in their mid-teens at the latest, one or many more of the football-living lads will gain recognition from a local club, and be given the chance to impress with all those flicks and trikcs for some work that will assist his starving familliy's financial needs much better than his own father!
Juts like everywhere else in the world, youngsters are highly influenced by the players at the top, leading them to believe they can be that great also - if not better! Many young Brazillians practicing every day and every night have taken to the likes of many Brazillians over the years which I believe has kept the Brazillian national side one to reckon with at the highest level!
It's pretty obvious to everyone that attackers (mainly goalscorers) are the most popular players around, and the ones that everyone wants to be like. Not just because of their massive wage packets, but it's really down to their goal-scoring and flair.
So many youngsters have taken a liking to all the greats, from Pelé (possibly the greatest) upto the the current breed of Ronaldo , Rivaldo, Denilson, and even the rising stars like Washington and Ronaldinho.
Claudio Taffarell is one of the best and well-known Brazillian goalkeepers money can buy. He's nearing full-retirement now, and Nélson Dida (AC Milan) appears to be the only keeper capable of taking the no.1 jersey for a long while. Memorable Brazillian defenders include the likes of Roberto 'bend-the-ball' Carlos, Junior Baiano and Cafu.
Having these guys in your backline isn't gunna guarrentee you the World Cup and maybe not even a good English League Cup run!
I believe that the defence is and always has been Brazil's biggest problem. They haven't lifted the Jules Remait (World Cup) trophy for a good few years now, and I think that problems at the back could point to 'why'. All teams seem to have most problems in the defensive half, look at how Man United have thrown the league away after lossing Jaap Stam to lazio - with most of the blame going on the defence (Barthez and Blanc, mainly)!
I believe the same effect is happening with Brazil and it won't be ending anytime soon. Like I said, many youngsters model themselves on the attacking half as there just isn't the same kind of appeal at the back.
So if no-one's going to go-in-goal stay back in defend then Brazil are surely going to suffer in the future and see their World Reputation rapidly decrease as they slide down the World Rankings table.
Their only real chance of saving themselves is now, and something must be done to make the defence more appealing to youngsters. They BFA and maybe even FIFA must act now, or see the likes of Pelé in floods of tears as their home country drops to the same level as it's slums, in football.
Your head is also filled with thoughts of their numorous classic World Cup winning years, lifting the Jules Remait trophy over and over again.
A side that is about as threatening as a kitten drining milk never comes to your attention, but that could soon be what we think of when we hear the word... 'Brazil'.
Do you know where and how these top South American stars begin their roads to fame and glory???
Believe it or not, it all begins in the run-down Slums and Shanty Towns that can be found on the waste-land outskirts of the likes of Rio de Janiero and other top tourist attractions in Brazil. They may not be the greatest of places to live - and they're definitley nothing like the homes of the multi-million pound earning footballers we know today, but this is where it all began for the likes of Ronaldinho, Denilson, and even the great Pelé! With very poor conditions and only scraps of metal and cardboard to use as shelter, there isn't really much for the average suffering human being to do in the average slum.
Football is a highly popular sport in every country across the globe. This is the only means of entertainment available to the unfortunate South Americans, and they therefore eat, drink and sleep football 24 hours-a-day - much more than we do!
With all that spare time and a football at their feet, any youngster who keeps at it will soon begin to develop a real nack for footballing talent and skill - even with the most battered and abused balls they can find.
After they've reached a certain age, maybe in their mid-teens at the latest, one or many more of the football-living lads will gain recognition from a local club, and be given the chance to impress with all those flicks and trikcs for some work that will assist his starving familliy's financial needs much better than his own father!
Juts like everywhere else in the world, youngsters are highly influenced by the players at the top, leading them to believe they can be that great also - if not better! Many young Brazillians practicing every day and every night have taken to the likes of many Brazillians over the years which I believe has kept the Brazillian national side one to reckon with at the highest level!
It's pretty obvious to everyone that attackers (mainly goalscorers) are the most popular players around, and the ones that everyone wants to be like. Not just because of their massive wage packets, but it's really down to their goal-scoring and flair.
So many youngsters have taken a liking to all the greats, from Pelé (possibly the greatest) upto the the current breed of Ronaldo , Rivaldo, Denilson, and even the rising stars like Washington and Ronaldinho.
Claudio Taffarell is one of the best and well-known Brazillian goalkeepers money can buy. He's nearing full-retirement now, and Nélson Dida (AC Milan) appears to be the only keeper capable of taking the no.1 jersey for a long while. Memorable Brazillian defenders include the likes of Roberto 'bend-the-ball' Carlos, Junior Baiano and Cafu.
Having these guys in your backline isn't gunna guarrentee you the World Cup and maybe not even a good English League Cup run!
I believe that the defence is and always has been Brazil's biggest problem. They haven't lifted the Jules Remait (World Cup) trophy for a good few years now, and I think that problems at the back could point to 'why'. All teams seem to have most problems in the defensive half, look at how Man United have thrown the league away after lossing Jaap Stam to lazio - with most of the blame going on the defence (Barthez and Blanc, mainly)!
I believe the same effect is happening with Brazil and it won't be ending anytime soon. Like I said, many youngsters model themselves on the attacking half as there just isn't the same kind of appeal at the back.
So if no-one's going to go-in-goal stay back in defend then Brazil are surely going to suffer in the future and see their World Reputation rapidly decrease as they slide down the World Rankings table.
Their only real chance of saving themselves is now, and something must be done to make the defence more appealing to youngsters. They BFA and maybe even FIFA must act now, or see the likes of Pelé in floods of tears as their home country drops to the same level as it's slums, in football.