Maicon wins the Samba Gold!
[photo=maicon1.jpg id=442 align=right]What"s great about Brazilian football is that it appears inexhaustible. Even in this disappointing World Cup year 2010 there are individual Brazilian players who have excelled. Amidst the triumphant Spaniards in South Aftrica, Maicon held his head high as one of the few Brazilian players who performed well for the Seleção. Yet without the flair of some of his national team rivals Maicon does still has an eye for goal.
Maicon Douglas Sisenando (named after film star Michael Douglas) is tall for a Brazilian (1.84 m) his height and style seemed suited to the European game. Born in Novo Hamburgo (a city of German immigration) and discovered at Grêmio, he made his name at Cruzeiro in 2001 and after two successful seasons in Brazil which included winning a championship and being called up for the Brazilian national team in 2003, he was signed by Monaco in June 2004. After a mixed success at AS Monaco – where he refined his attacking ambition – he found a home at Inter Milan. And what better mentor than Jose Mourinho to shape the player and bring out their best. Under the Portuguese leadership Maicon improved his game in every way.
The Legacy of Cafu
[photo=maicon2.jpg id=442 align=right]Since 2002, Cafu had made the right wing his own, with a range to rival any midfielder. In line with a national tradition of wingers (Djalma Santos Nilton Santos, Nelinho, Junior and Leandro, Roberto Carlos, Leonardo, Jorginho, Branco …). After his retirement in 2006 Cicinho appeared his successor but did not hold the position. Rafinha, Ilsinho, Leo Moura were also tried. Then coach Carlos Dunga gave Maicon his opportunity and he became a pivotal player in Dunga"s Brazil. But following World Cup failure the Brazilian setup changed with new coach Mano Menezes saying “we do not easily forgive a losing team". Menezes has tried several players at right back so it seems once again Maicon must fight for his position.
Inter must keep Maicon at all costs
In the 2009-2010 season Maicon, Lucio and Julio Cesar formed Inter"s super Brazilian defence and Inter won it all: Championship, League and the FIFA World Club Championship. The super defence conceded only 34 goals (38 games) in Serie A, and has a flattering ratio of 0.69 goals per game in the Champions League. “We"re a solid defensive line that is not easily caught out," said Maicon. But when Mourinho left for Real Madrid the rumours began that Maicon would follow his mentor. However Inter"s new coach was keen to keep him in Italy. “For me he is a major player" claimed the Rafa Benitez “He makes a difference in many games".
The top three play in Italy
[photo=maicon3.jpg id=442 align=right]In second place is Lazio"s Hernanes, who is the latest wonder from Brazil. An artistic midfielder who has won the hearts of the Italian league. A surely a top contender for the Samba Gold 2011. Ranked third in is Thiago Silva who has had an amazing year at AC Milan. So all the top three play in Italy, a country that has traditionally famous for it"s defensive football still seems the ideal place to balance the Brazilian attacking gene.
The 2010 Samba Gold lineup: Julio César ; Maicon, Lucio, Thiago Silva, Daniel Alves ; Hernanes, David Luiz, Pato, Nenê ; Hulk, Bobô.
