Barely lifting his eyes from the floor, Marcelo Bielsa embarked on a poignant reflection on the essence of soccer, mourning what had been lost and lamenting the potential future of the beautiful game. Bielsa, known as Uruguay’s philosopher-coach, delved deep into the ethereal aspects of soccer, rather than being consumed by the mere material reality of an upcoming Copa América quarterfinal against Brazil.
Bielsa eloquently expressed that soccer’s allure lay in its inherent freedom, once a “popular property” that provided joy even to the poorest individuals. However, he sorrowfully noted that the game had been engulfed by “the business,” which has detached it from its roots and essence. He emphasized that the focus on profit had overshadowed the fundamental elements that made soccer the greatest sport in the world.
In a dark and somber prediction, Bielsa envisioned a future where the quality of players deserving to be watched would decline, leading to a diminished enjoyment of the game. This decline in the quality of soccer would ultimately impact the spectators, causing the artificial boom in viewership to fade away. His prophetic outlook painted a stark picture of a world where the once-thriving sport would lose its charm and authenticity.
Despite guiding an exhilarating Uruguay team to the Copa América semifinals, Bielsa’s observations on the current state of soccer reflected a sense of disillusionment and concern. His critique of the modern game highlighted the importance of preserving the essence of soccer and not letting commercial interests overshadow its true spirit.
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| Erik S Lesser/EPA, via Shutterstock |
