Who is the best in football, the Europeans or the South Americans? (Hi Mbappé) [ENG/ESP]
(Edited)
Mbappé, Europe, the Europeans, the UEFA criteria, what is meant in the "Old Continent" by "world-class football" when these controversial questions are asked? The truth is that the debate, the chatter, the opinions, run like a river with a strong current, without there being anything that can stop it, to the point that 159 days before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, it seems that the planet football is obsessed with this question so broad but with multiple answers? And I will be no exception. I accept the "Kylian challenge" and join in, in these lines, to try to shed light on so much darkness.
But what fuels this type of criteria in the first place? Because although Kylian Mbappé was the last to admit it in an interview, he was by no means the only one. What's more, this comes from a long list of footballers, ex-footballers, managers and even national coaches (hello, Luis Enrique) who, in their own words and styles, have made the same judgement. As I write these letters in succession, I ask myself, on what basis are these ideas said (and actually believed)? I have never seen Oliver Bierhoff play in temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius on any European court. Or, Xavi or Iniesta stand out too much in the hot temperatures of Rio de Janeiro during the 2013 Confederations Cup. What's more, something I do remember, and quite well, is Pep Guardiola highlighting the incredible geography of the American continent during his brief stint in Mexico at the end of his playing career.
In this sense, I could go on about the curious but never unnoticed "luck" of UEFA teams in competitions on American soil. Moreover, even Germany, in the Maracana Final with the most organised Argentina I have seen in my 32 years of career, and not to mention the most formidably ignored penalty of the World Cups, never whistled (Hello, referee of the Final), had not "conquered" these parts... Let's remember, there have been several World Cups in this part of the planet: Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico (twice), Brazil (with also two World Cup organisations), Chile and the United States of America, have hosted the tournament and only once have the Europeans heard the immortal notes recited by Freddy Mercury in "We Are The Champions" at the end of the referee's whistle.
Mbappé, Europa, los europeos, ¿el criterio UEFA? ¿Qué será lo que se entiende en el "Viejo Continente" por "fútbol de nivel mundial", cuando se plantean estas preguntas tan polémicas? Lo cierto es que, el debate, la tertulia, las opiniones, corren como un río con corriente fuerte, sin que haya algo que pueda detenerlo, hasta el punto de que a 159 días de la Copa del Mundo FIFA Catar 2022, pareciera que el planeta fútbol estuviese obsesionado con esta interrogante tan amplia pero con múltiples respuestas... Y yo no seré la excepción. Acepto el "reto Kylian" y me sumo, en estas líneas, para intentar dar luz a tanta oscuridad.
Ahora bien, ¿qué alimenta, en primer lugar, este tipo de criterios? Porque si bien, Kylian Mbappé ha sido el último en admitirlo, en una entrevista, ni por asomos ha sido el único. Es más, esto viene de una larga lista de futbolistas, ex futbolistas, dirigentes e incluso seleccionadores nacionales (Hola, Luis Enrique) que, en sus propias palabras y estilos, han sentenciado lo mismo. Mientras escribo estas letras que se suceden, me pregunto, ¿basados en qué son dichas (y realmente creídas estas ideas)? Nunca vi a Oliver Bierhoff jugar a más de 30 grados Celsius de temperatura en ninguna cancha europea. O, a Xavi o Iniesta destacar demasiado en las cálidas temperaturas de Río de Janeiro durante la Copa Confederaciones de 2013. Es más, algo que sí recuerdo y bastante bien, es a Pep Guardiola destacar la increíble geografía que tiene el continente americano durante su breve paso por México al final de su carrera deportiva.
En este sentido, podría continuar con la curiosa pero jamás desapercibida "suerte" de los equipos UEFA en competiciones en suelo americano. Es más, hasta Alemania, en la Final del Maracaná con la Argentina más organizada que haya visto en mis 32 años de carrera, y sin obviar el penal más formidablemente ignorado de las Copas del Mundo, jamás pitado (Hola, árbitro de la Final) pues no habían "conquistado" estos lares... Recordemos, han habido varias Copas en este lugar del planeta: Uruguay, Argentina, México (en dos ocasiones), Brasil (con también dos organizaciones del Mundial), Chile y Estados Unidos de América, han sido sedes y solo en una vez, los europeos han oídos las inmortales notas recitadas por Freddy Mercury en "We Are The Champions!" al final del pitazo del árbitro.
And it's not that the Americans (North, Central and South) have fared much better than the former when it comes to going to the "Old Continent" to play an official FIFA competition but, at least from this side of the pond, we don't usually complain or to put it more accurately: pretend to be arrogant and haughty. But I will stop a bit with my sarcasm and irony and pay attention to the details of why statements like this happen. I believe it is because of the abysmal lack of knowledge from the Canary Islands to the Ural Mountains about who we are around here, and why we have earned the respect and admiration of the true masters of the sport: the fans around the world.
You see, Germany, and Italy, share 4 titles (stars) in their trophy cabinets, but if I remember correctly, how many years passed from Mexico 70 to USA 94? 24 years, is that right? And both Germany and Italy had 3 World Cups, tied with Brazil, but neither of those great teams were able to lead national team football. Moreover, if you rush me (which I know you don't) I wouldn't be lying if I stated that from 1986 to 2006, a total of 19 years, FIFA competitions were totally dominated, overwhelmingly, by teams from the Americas (Conmebol, to be more precise) except for that one title won in the Canary Islands, that title rightly won on the pitch by the France of Zidane, Henry, Pétit, LeBlanc and the current French football coach, Didier Deschamps, which shades in contrast to the successes of Maradona's Argentina and the travelling school of football that is Brazil in its entirety. Oh, right... Germany won its third championship at Italia 90', I almost forgot...
What do I mean by this? Well, what is obvious. Football is a cyclical matter, a matter of moments, intimately related to the historical momentum of its players during a very strict moment in time. A combination of luck, preparation, discipline, talent and not forgetting anything in the equation: timing. The last world champions, France, in Russia 2018, in the round of 16 faced the worst Argentina in recent years, and, did they beat them? Well, the "placard" as they say in Brazil, it was 4-3 to the Gauls. But while they dominated the game and were deserved winners, we can't ignore the fact that in the 94th minute, deep into injury time, a Maxi Meza shot almost took that game to extra time.... But, of course, that would be an incredible "what if this had happened...?" exercise. And that's not where I want to go.
Y no es que a lo americano (del norte, del centro y del sur) les haya ido mucho mejor que a los primeros cuando hay que ir al "Viejo Continente" a disputar una competición oficial de FIFA pero, al menos desde este lado del charco, no solemos quejarnos o dicho de un modo más preciso: pretender ser arrogantes y soberbios. Pero me detendré un poco con mi sarcasmo e ironía y prestaré atención a los detalles del por qué ocurren declaraciones de este tipo. Creo que es debido al abismal desconocimiento que tienen desde las Islas Canarias hasta los Montes Urales con respecto a quienes somos por aquí, y por qué nos hemos ganado el respeto y la admiración de los verdaderos amos de este deporte: que son los seguidores en todo el mundo.
Verán, Alemania, e Italia, comparten 4 títulos (estrellas) en sus vitrinas, pero si mal no recuerdo, ¿cuántos años pasaron desde México 70 hasta USA 94? 24 años, ¿es correcto? Y tanto Alemania, como Italia, contaban con 3 Copas del Mundo, empatados con Brasil, pero ninguna de esas grandísimas selecciones pudieron liderar el fútbol de selecciones. Es más, si me apresuran (que sé que no lo hacen) no mentiría si expongo que desde 1986 hasta 2006, un total de 19 años, las competiciones FIFA fueron totalmente dominadas, abrumadoramente, por selecciones de América (Conmebol, para ser más precisos) salvo, aquel título justamente obtenido en la cancha por la Francia de Zidane, Henry, Pétit, LeBlanc y el actual seleccionador francés de fútbol, Didier Deschamps que matiza en contraposición con los éxitos de la Argentina de Maradona y la escuela de fútbol ambulante que es Brasil en toda su expresión. Oh, cierto, Alemania obtuvo su tercer campeonato en Italia 90', casi lo olvidaba...
¿Qué quiero decir con esto? Pues lo que es evidente. El fútbol es una cuestión cíclica, de momentos. íntimamente relacionado con el momento histórico de sus jugadores durante un muy estricto momento de tiempo. Una combinación de suerte, preparación, disciplina, talento y sin olvidar nada en la ecuación: timing. El último campeón del mundo, Francia, en Rusia 2018, en octavos de final se enfrentó a la peor Argentina de los últimos años, y, ¿la goleó? Bueno, el "placard" como dicen en Brasil, quedó 4-3 para los galos. Pero si bien dominaron el partido y resultaron justos ganadores, no por eso podemos obviar que en el minuto 94, ya dentro del tiempo añadido, un disparo de Maxi Meza casi lleva a ese partido a punto de acabar, al tiempo extra... Pero, por supuesto, ése sería un increíble ejercicio de "¿y si hubiese sucedido esto...?" Y ahí no quiero ir.
I believe that any opinion in this regard would be better directed if this premise were understood: national team football is about moments, not eternal regularities. This simple idea explains how the Brazil of the 90's against a depleted Argentina, with Diego at 60% of his physical and footballing capacity, was eliminated in the only match they have ever played in the history of the FIFA World Cups. Or how Greece, a country with no winning tradition among UEFA's elite, was able to find its own way by beating the hosts, Portugal, twice, is an unrepeatable Europe?
Besides, examples like these abound everywhere you look: England with Germany in the World Cup Final at Wembley in '66 (please don't get me started on this...) or, for me the most famous of all: the incredibly bad luck the Netherlands have had during the history of the World Cups, with three lost finals and four top-five finishes in those tournaments? What are they going to say, that the Dutch don't know how to be competitive and that they have no footballing ability? I have never heard that statement. Not here in America, not there in Europe. It must have been for a reason. As Eduardo Galeano, a fantastic Uruguayan writer and assiduous fan of the most beautiful sport we have ever invented as a human species, said: "Football is the most important of the least important, but it still enchants us". And I totally agree with him in that statement.
I prefer to understand that the distribution of the "throne" is mostly given by how the competitions themselves are organised. And I believe, firmly, that what I describe is what FIFA wants to eradicate (for me, rather belatedly) in the joint World Cup, for the first time, to be hosted by Canada (first time), the United States (second time) and Mexico, (the most repeated venue in the history of the World Cups) in 2026. Perhaps then, we will see if the scales begin to balance.
Considero, que toda opinión en este sentido iría mejor direccionada si se entendiera esta premisa: el fútbol de selecciones son momentos, no regularidades eternas. Esta simple idea explica cómo el Brasil del 90' contra la Argentina mermada y con un Diego en un 60 % de su capacidad física y futbolística fue eliminado en el único choque que han tenido en la historia de las Copas del Mundo de la FIFA. O, cómo Grecia, un país sin tradición ganadora dentro de la élite de la UEFA, haya podido hallar su propio camino venciendo dos veces al anfitrión, Portugal, es una Europa irrepetible...
Además, ejemplos como estos abundan por dónde se mire ¿Inglaterra con Alemania en la Final del Mundial en Wembley, en el 66'? (Por favor, no me hagan hablar sobre esto...) o, para mí la más famosa de todas: la increíble mala suerte que han tenidos los Países Bajos durante la historia de los mundiales, con tres finales perdidas y cuatro puestos entre los mejores cinco de esos torneos... ¿Qué van a decir? ¿Que los neerlandeses no saben ser competitivos y que no cuentan con nivel futbolístico? Jamás oí esa declaración. Ni acá, en América, ni allá en Europa. Por algo habrá sido. Y es que como decía Eduardo Galeano, fantástico escritor uruguayo, y asiduo fanático del deporte más hermoso que hayamos podido inventar como especie humana; "El fútbol es lo más importante de los menos importante, pero aún así nos hechiza." Y concuerdo totalmente con él en esa afirmación.
Prefiero entender que el reparto del "trono" se da mayoritariamente por cómo son organizadas las propias competencias en sí mismas. Y creo, firmemente, que éso que describo es lo que quiere erradicar (para mí, bastante tardío) FIFA en la Copa del Mundo conjunta, por vez primera, que tendrán como anfitriones a Canadá (por primera vez), Estados Unidos (segunda vez) y México, (sede que más se repetirá en la historia de los mundiales) en el 2026. Quizás entonces, veamos si la balanza empieza a equilibrarse.
The truth is that declaring that one part of the world has overwhelming, total and undeniable dominance of a particular aspect of the sport is dangerously arrogant and arrogant. Moreover, it does not contribute to or take into account the other factors mentioned above, as well as the intangibility that is intrinsic within football itself. Because everyone will agree that it will never be the same to represent the colours of Real Madrid as those of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico or Spain? Wearing the shirt of your own national team in itself is a factor. No one should ask you or reward you with any "incentive bonus" to run more, try harder or play supporting roles for the benefit of the team.
Furthermore, and I end on this note, this is a team sport. And if there is one thing that football has proven time and again, it is that it is not enough to have the best player or players of the moment in a national team. In this sport you win with strategy, tactics, a lot of sacrifice and above all, intelligence for and for the cause of the team. The sum of the parts is greater than the whole. And it's not philosophy, it's a proven fact. So, is there, or is there not, a higher and better level in America (South America) compared to Europe? Well, from my point of view, the question is not even a question, but one of a billion opinions. And no, it's not even close to answering "how and where" world championships are won, regardless of whether you wear a Conmebol or a UEFA jersey.
Lo cierto, es que declarar que una parte del mundo tiene el dominio abrumador, total e innegable de un determinado aspecto del deporte, es peligrosamente arrogante y soberbio. Además, que no contribuye ni toma en cuenta los demás factores antes mencionados, así como la intangibilidad que está intrínseca dentro del mismo fútbol. Porque estarán de acuerdo todos, que jamás será lo mismo representar los colores del Real Madrid que los de Brasil, Uruguay, Argentina, México o España... Vestir la camiseta de tu propia selección en sí mismo es un factor. Nadie debe pedirte o premiarte con ninguna "prima de incentivo" para correr más, esforzarte más o cumplir roles de reparto secundario en beneficio del equipo.
Además, y culmino con esta característica, esto es un deporte de equipo. Y si algo ha demostrado el fútbol hasta el hartazgo, es que no basta con tener al mejor o mejores jugadores del momento dentro de una selección. En este deporte se gana con estrategia, táctica, muchísimo sacrificio y sobre todo, inteligencia para y por la causa del equipo. Las sumas de las partes, es mayor que el todo. Y no es filosofía, es un hecho comprobado. Así que, ¿hay o no hay, mayor y mejor nivel en América (Sudamérica) en comparación con Europa? Pues, desde mi óptica, la pregunta no es ni siquiera una pregunta, sino una de mil millones de opiniones. Y no, no está ni cerca de responder el "cómo y dónde" se ganan los campeonatos del mundo, independientemente si vistes una casaca de Conmebol o una de UEFA.
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STOPMbappe esta tan equivocado que no sabe de lo que habla. No es lo mismo jugar contra Malta, Moldavia, Islas Feroe o San Marino y clasificarse al mundial, que ir y visitar a Bolivia en la Paz, o jugar en Colombia y Venezuela con el calor o un partido entre Argentina y Uruguay con la rivalidad que existe entre ellos.
Quizás en Europa haya buen nivel que la conmebol no es nada clasificarse, por el nivel y las condiciones que tienen todas las selecciones.
Interesting topic and it opens up a billion questions like you suggest. Where my mind goes is that different continents have influence from others. Europe has many star African heritage players representing national teams. South America has huge Spanish and Italian influence. It's a convo that opens up a can of worms
You just nailed it, dude. Thanks for comment.
This question got me to come across a judgment that, football if we do compare in the parameter of the artistic ingenuity, then Latin America would definitely win and if we talk about roboticism, machine footballs and that which fosters million dollars on the pitch, new innovations and tactical gameplay -- then Europe will hold its head supremely high.
Thanks for the discussion. 👍
@asif7 well friend, if you think this was a good discussion as you just mentioned, it would be just great (for me) that you reblog this post. I'm kinda new here, and I'll appreciate all the help possible. Thanks for everything.
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