**Football in Brazil: a changing heritage**
Brazil, home of football legends such as Pelé, Garrincha and Ronaldinho, has long been synonymous with “jogo bonito”, the beautiful and flamboyant game that has taken the world by storm. However, the country which has won the World Cup five times has not lifted the trophy since 2002. This lack of success on the international scene, coupled with a shortage of Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007, raises questions about the current state of Brazilian football.
The statement by Pelé’s eldest son, Edinho, on the declining quality of Brazilian athletes underlines a tangible reality: football in Brazil is going through difficult times. Even President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva admitted that Brazil no longer plays the greatest football in the world.
So what happened?
One of the answers could lie in the disappearance of street football, the birthplace of many great names in Brazilian football such as Rivellino, Zico and Romario. Clay fields have given way to concrete spaces and housing complexes. Spontaneous and free play, essential to the training of talented footballers, has given way to more formalized and costly structures.
Young people from working classes now have less access to playing fields, often depending on school, social programs or football academies to practice. However, these structures often require payment, limiting access for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The change in playing surfaces from natural to synthetic raises questions about player skill development. Some regret that this new type of terrain limits the expression of creativity in favor of a more mechanical approach to the game.
The time spent playing football has decreased, which has impacted the level of play of Brazilian footballers. If Brazil remains a major exporter of talent, the amount of transfers has decreased, reflecting a certain stagnation in the valorization of Brazilian players on the international scene.
The technicality and joy of playing, which characterized the Brazilian style, have disappeared in favor of a more standardized and mechanized approach to football. Young players, despite having the game in their veins, face difficulties in training, in part due to sedentary lifestyles and an addiction to screens.
However, despite these challenges, Brazil remains the nation of football. Brazilian clubs continue to shine on the continental scene, winning several Copa Libertadores titles. Talents like Vinícius Júnior, Endrick and others continue to spark hope for the future of Brazilian football.
The debate over the quality of Brazilian football is open, but one thing is certain: Brazil will always remain connected to its footballing heritage, building a new generation of footballers ready to take on the challenges of the modern game. The road ahead will be strewn with obstacles, but the love and passion for football remains etched in the DNA of the Brazilian people, ready to celebrate the beautiful and unpredictable game that has made the country famous.