Big names head to Brazil
Daniele De Rossi is not the only big
name heading to South America. Brazil’s
captain Dani Alves, chosen as the
outstanding player at the recent Copa
America, is back from Europe after more
than a decade-and-a-half to join Sao
Paulo – and with him went the Spanish
full-back Juanfran. Another full-back
pair, the Brazilians Rafinha and current
international left-back Filipe Luis, have
both crossed the Atlantic to sign for
Flamengo of Rio.
All of these players could have stayed
on in Europe. There were also options
such as China or maybe the Middle East
and the United States. Instead they have
chosen to continue their careers in South
American club football.
In the case of the Brazilians this is
perhaps not surprising as it is common
for players to go back home at the
veteran stage. More newsworthy, perhaps,
is the arrival of the Europeans. True,
Clarence Seedorf enjoyed a late career
adventure with Botafogo, though the fact
that he has a Brazilian wife was clearly an
important factor in the move.
The choices taken by De Rossi and
Juanfran are interesting because they
can be seen as a consequence of a new
trend in the South American game. There
is not more money sloshing around, nor
are there any dramatic signs of an
increase in quality. But that does not
mean there is no dynamic of change.
A fascinating recent development isthe growing space given to ex-players
in directorial positions, though South
America is still running well behind
Europe in this regard.
A few years ago there were
negotiations to take Nicolas Anelka
to Atletico Mineiro of Brazil. Anelka
commented afterwards that the deal
broke down because of the amateur
way in which things were conducted.
The Brazilian directors were, he felt,
playing to the gallery. The deal was
announced to the press before
negotiations had been completed, and
the club only sent him one air ticket
when he had also requested one for his
agent. Anelka was interested but ended
up repelled by a lack of trust in the club.
Things were very different in the case
of De Rossi because the contact was
made through former Roma team-
mate and currently Boca director Nico
Burdisso. Sao Paulo’s directors include
former captains of Brazil and Uruguay,
Rai and Diego Lugano, both of whom are
said to have played a role in persuading
Alves and Juanfran to join.
Alves made a dream return to Brazilian
football, scoring the only goal in the
game as Sao Paulo won a league game
against Ceara. In their next game they
did even better, travelling to Athletico
Paranaense, who are notoriously strong
at home, to record another 1-0 win.
A few months ago, in turmoil on the
field and off it, Sao Paulo were even seen
as relegation candidates. Now the entire
mood has changed, with the club playingthemselves into the pack who are in
contention for the title – and the signing
of Alves has given the place a huge lift.
Although Brazil’s captain grew up
towards the other end of a giant country,
Sao Paulo is the team he followed as
a boy and it is the destination that he
chose. He also remains Brazil’s right-
back and has designs on holding his
place until the next World Cup.
But he has not featured there for Sao
Paulo – not least because they have also
acquired Juanfran. Alves has been given
a free role in midfield, able to construct
from deep, orchestrate in the final third
and burst into the opposing penalty area.
He even played much of his third game,
away to Vasco da Gama, at centre
forward after team-mate striker Raniel
was controversially sent off.Tim Vickery reportsThe choices taken by De Rossi and
Juanfran are a consequence of a new
trend in the South American gameJoy...Dani Alves
celebrates scoring
for his new sideInteresting...Spanish full-back Juanfran opted to join Sao Paulo rather than stay in Europe