

If footballers face a battle between aesthetics and results, Brazilians have always tended to be more artful than pragmatic. From this last point of view, Antony can improve how he uses tricks – tricks that aren’t to promote himself but to advance his own team.”

Dribbling and tricks are some of the beauties of football, but they need to lead to a chance or a goal. But there’s a place in the middle of this. I think there’s an exaggeration in Brazil about the aesthetics of the dribble and an exaggeration in some parts of Europe in the contempt there is for these aesthetics. “There is also a certain contempt in Europe for the dribble, as if it wasn’t a beautiful thing.

Dribbling and tricks need to have an objective. From this point of view, the English are correct and Paul Scholes was right to criticise him. “Brazil still sees football as if it were a team sport won by individuals when it is increasingly a collective game that is resolved by collective aspects. “Like everything in the world, there’s reason in the middle of it,” says Coelho. The hugely popular Brazilian football pundit Paulo Vinicius Coelho sees both sides of the argument. Until he did the unthinkable and tried to pull off a trick during a 3-0 win over Sheriff in the Europa League.Īntony in action for Manchester United against Sheriff in the Europa League. He was generally well received by fans and the media. The forward has enjoyed a strong start in England, setting a record as the first United player to score in his first three Premier League games. The Dutchman convinced the club to pay Ajax £82m – an Eredivisie record – for the 22-year-old. The São Paulo product was one of new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s marquee signings in the summer. Most recently, it was Antony’s turn to suffer a media pile-on in his adopted home. At least once a month this season a young, skilful Brazilian has been criticised for doing what they do best: entertaining fans, expressing themselves and exhibiting their art. Brazilian players have increasingly made home in Europe but their style is not always feted. Manager Tite included 12 players from the Premier League in his 26-man squad – second only to England – and 22 in total from European clubs. All rights reserved.The World Cup has finally started and, for some Brazil players, representing their national team may prove a welcome break from the day job.

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. ^ Back to Top ^ © 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. Neymar helped PSG continue their winning start to the league campaign with a 2-1 win at Metz on Wednesday thanks to a double from new signing Achraf Hakimi. The Brazil international confronted the officials in the tunnel at half-time and following the match, he wrote on his Instagram: "I just play football." Neymar reacted angrily when he was booked by referee Jerome Brisard for performing the same skill in PSG's 5-0 win against Montpellier last February. It usually applies when a team are losing by a large margin. Players receiving bookings for this doesn't happen often as it is down to the official's interpretation of what has happened. Enjoy while it lasts."Īlthough it doesn't specifically exist in the Laws of the Game in France, a referee can brandish a yellow card if they believe a player is mocking an opponent. Honestly, I don't understand the reasons. "The same thing happened to me last season. "The technical gesture is a solution, no matter where it takes place and no matter what minute it is performed. "This episode is very, very sad, receiving a yellow card for a dribble," he wrote. Referee Stephanie Frappart booked Paqueta following the trick, but Neymar was disappointed and criticised the decision on Instagram. Messi suffers bone injury scare, set for scans Paqueta scored in Lyon's 3-1 victory over Troyes but in stoppage time, the midfielder attempted to flick the ball over Giulian Biancone, who reacted angrily to the piece of skill. Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has said that the "beautiful game is over" after Lyon player Lucas Paqueta was shown a yellow card for attempting a rainbow flick during a Ligue 1 match on Wednesday. PSG's Neymar fumes after Lyon's Lucas Paqueta booked for rainbow flick
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