BRAZIL 2014 WORLD CUP: WHEN THE BEST TEAMS DON’T COME TO THE PARTY

The biggest soccer fiesta is on and “the boys are not smiling” (Whichever way you look at it), whenever soccer is mentioned some teams are standout when it comes to performance. Irrespective of the pressure of the game the big four in football are no push overs.

Brazil Argentina, Germany, Italy.( with due respect to  FIFA ranking, these are my big four). The Brazilian atmosphere has an aroma in the air and it smells #Brazil2014worldcup.

No doubt, every of the 32 teams in the world cup came with the objective of showcasing their skills and prove their mettle by possibly clinging the cup. Every team  on the pitch is a representative of the sum total  of the population of their country football fans,  and the pressure to impress  these teaming  loyal supporters have a way of  making even the world’s best  players look ordinary.

for instance  four time world time footballer of the year and Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been accused of lack of loyalty  for not scoring goals for his country.  However, he shines like a million stars  for his club FC Barcelona. Messi  finally broke the  imaginary jinx  while scoring in his first game  in the tournament. Speaking to the press after  the match with Bosnia-Herzgovina Messi admitted being NERVOUS. Even  with all the laurels in his closet, he is still human.

Current world   footballer Christiana Ronaldo  seems to have fought the better fight while qualifying  his Portuguese team after a fierce battle in the hands of  Sweden spearheaded  by the legendary Zlatan Ibramovic. And with the Portuguese  being bashed  after their opener in the hands of the classic German Machines in this tournament,  one is bound  to simply wish  Christiana Ronaldo godspeed  on  his Brazilian journey.

The Brazilians seem to be  the center of attraction in the tournament with  the best of  display of  talents; from Neymar jnr  to Oscar  living up to their biding, although  their first match was a classic. With due respect to the Croatians, the samba boys were  graceful.  The Croatians were never pushovers.

One memory the Brazilians do not seem to forget in a hurry is the ghost of their one time biggest stadium the Maracana. The  Maracana Stadium is to Brazilian Soccer what  Time Square is to New york. Until the samba boys lost in the 1950 world cup final to Uruguay in the Maracanna the fear of  playing in the stadia  doesn’t seem to be   forgotten in a hurry. To the Brazilians  prior to  the game it was a done deal on paper they had one of the golden teams legendry Pele was on that team list but they lost and the biggest stadium in the world then was silent.

Irrespective of all these   shortcomings from  big teams at the World Cup, my sympathy go to the world champions Spain who got their  baptism of fire in their first game going down  5  goals to 1 to the Netherlands . The beauty of the journey is in the memories: most times the destination is the journey. From me it’s enjoy the memories of the Journey.

Namaste.
Charles Umeh is a student of life, life coach and strategist who makes impact through his writings and speaking engagements. Twitter @Charismacharles