Arantes is pushing for a law to be passed which would limit the number of foreign-based players in the Brazil squad to 10% – though, magnanimously, he is prepared to cede a bit in negotiations and he might find 20% to be an acceptable compromise.
It is barely credible that a political system will debate such a frivolous proposal based on a mixture of stupidity, ignorance and unpleasant nationalism. But though nothing will come of it apart from a few column inches for a headline seeking buffoon, ideas along the lines of Arantes’ measure are frequently debated in the bars of Brazil.
Until comparatively recently, of course, the entire Brazil squad was made up exclusively of home-based players. An exception was tried – unsuccessfully as it proved – with Amarildo in 1966. But not until 1986 did a Brazil World Cup squad include feature a couple of ‘foreigners.’ But these were different times.
The opening up of the global market, the introduction of freedom of contract and the subsequent exodus of talent to Europe are unpalatable truths to Brazil’s proud football culture. But they are truths all the same. Even the normally sensible sports daily ‘Lance!’ campaigned not long ago for more domestically based players to be included in the Brazil squad. They must have been very pleased when midfielder Ramires of Cruzeiro was called up for the first time – this was just the type of thing they were asking for. But on that very same day came the announcement that Ramires had signed for Benfica in Portugal. What now? After spending months campaigning for his inclusion, should they now call for him to be dropped, and replaced by a another home based player who before long would also be on his way to Europe? Reality tends to get in the way of these nationalist deliriums.
I well recall being at a press conference given by Leao ten years ago when he was national team coach. Brazil had just lost 1-0 away to Ecuador. There was nothing particularly disastrous about the performance, but Leao decided that the time had come to wield the axe. He was looking, he said, for a new attitude from the national team, and in order to obtain it he build his team around home based players. My colleagues in the press conference were in full support, as was the public. I sat there thinking that Leao had just argued himself out of a job. And so it proved.
Leao’s new team played a thoroughly dismal 1-1 draw at home to Peru. There was no new attitude, just an alarming lack of quality – exposed all the more when he took a squad largely comprised of home based players to the Confederations Cup. After a sequence of disappointing results and even worse performances, Leao was sacked, Luiz Felipe Scolari took over and the rest is history.
Ten years on it is probable that a stronger team could be formed from players still making their living at home. The strength of the currency and improved economic situation means that some of the starlets are staying longer, and many of the stars are coming home sooner.
But for the foreseeable future the best Brazilians will continue to spend their peak years in Europe. Today’s is a globalised generation, who have grown up with the dream of starring for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan and Manchester United. Quite apart from any financial motive, there is also the need to prove themselves – and while the likes of Jovair Arantes may resent it, the cold but clear truth is that these days it is not possible to be considered a truly great player without shining in Europe’s Champions League.
So why, then, should the Brazil squad deprive itself of many of the best players in order to fulfil some ridiculous quota?
But more than results, there is another pressing reason to reject any proposal on the lines suggested by Arantes – social justice.
Many of Brazil’s players come from the poorer sectors of society. As they grew up they received little investment or attention from the Brazilian State. In the normal way of things they would have had few opportunities in life. Instead of which, they dribbled round destiny by developing their football ability to a level deemed worthy of being signed by a big foreign club.
None of this makes them any less patriotic. They love their country and make sacrifices to play for their national team which many European players would not consider. They have evolved as people, learnt languages and made friends in the countries in which they have played. They are the best ambassadors that Brazil has.
And now the Brazilian State is contemplating telling them that they are not fit to represent the land of their birth. It is a proposal that is not only stupid – it is downright wicked.
