The curious case of The Seleção ...

              There were times, when every football fan,on seeing his team knocked out (or in some cases, team didn't even qualify), would go on to support Brazil for that tournament.It was considered an almost obvious thing to do.Not that other teams were not competent enough, Brazil were the epitome of Football, the unanimous emperors of the "Beautiful Game".Fast forward to today, and you'd almost feel sorry at the current state of affairs.

The 3 Legendary Rs of Brazil

        
  True, Brazil are still one of the best teams in World Football, always considered among favourites in any tournament they enter.But the aura that surrounded the Samba boys is long gone.There is no more the fear amongst their opponents, nor the admiration by the neutrals.Yes, they are the firm favourites to land the Continental Prize this July, despite the challenge of Messi's Argentina and Forlan's Uruguay. But there's something missing from Brazil, the flair, the style, the desire to entertain haven't been on show for a long time now. Ever since Ronaldinho's magic and Ronaldo and Rivaldo's heroics in 2002 World Cup, Brazil haven't shown the flair of the champions.
            Many may point at Spain's rise as the Guardians of the Beautiful Game now, but honestly, Spain's approach remains completely different to that of Brazil of the 60s and 70s. Yes, they do play the passing game to perfection.But, there's no flash of a brilliance out of nowhere,Spain methodically tear open the opposition teams by executing their game to near perfection.Barcelona have Messi has the X-factor, but Spain thrive on Accuracy and flawless execution of their game.

Spain's rise to the top has seen them exhibit amazing football, but flamboyance hasn't been their virtue!

            Awesome as they are in their own right, there is no magic involved, as it seemed to be the case with the likes of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo.I don't intend to say any other brand of football except the Brazilians is ugly, but just try to remember any game when Ronaldinho was at his peak, and it used to be so much fun.Yes, he was nowhere as efficient as Messi and Ronaldo today are, scoring an unbelievable amount of goals; but he still created a much more marvelous show.Those were no show-offs to humiliate the opponents,but desire to entertain the crowds who pay their hard-earned money to come to the stadium.With him dancing on the ball, you'd tend to think anything was possible for him.Yes, there are still great stars in this Brazilian team, some unbelievable talents, but still Brazil struggle to reproduce the kind of football that made every avid football fan love them.

 One can attribute this to the trend of these footballers joining top European clubs at a very young age.The top European League are furiously competitive,and there is no scope for artwork, where survival is a primary goal.They can't play their own game freely,when millions of dollars are at stake.The men from South America have never been known to excel in a rigid tactical system.And the effect is already showing, Brazil hardly have many show-men left currently.Those who are still there, liked Neymar and Ganso, haven't had to play the physical European game.Yes, there's Kaka, but these days his genius is more similar to a Sneijder or an Iniesta.Robinho, who once promised to be the heir to the legendary "3 Rs" of Brazil, looks a pale shadow of himself.That's the greatest tragedy of Brazil.Ever since Ronaldinho came crashing down from being on top of the world, Brazilians haven't found the magician that they crave.One can only hope the Neymars and Lucas Piazons would not lose their identities in pursuit of their European dreams, that the David Luizs and Rafaels will somehow resist the demand to be tactically rigid rather than exhibiting their awesome skills they promise to have.Because, even though I can surely enjoy even the games between Stoke and Blackburn, none can get that smile on my face, which a Ronaldinho or a Messi brings!