Brazil is the land of the football. There is great controversy about who is the real inventor of the football. Some say it was the Chinese and others say it was the English. It is obvious that the English established the rules and made the football entrenched as a real sport. Now it is the most watched and played sport on our planet.
But what most people don't realise is that the Brazilians discovered the way to make football more beautiful and more enjoyable. The Brazilians don't only focus on the results of the game but even more the way we win the games.
The Brazilians are more than footballs fans; they are fanatical about football.
There is a quotation that says you can change what you want but nobody can chance his heart on a football game in Brazil. It is serious business.
There is only one way to understand this reality. Come here(Brazil) and live some days and experience this national love for football. Further, as the economy becomes strong in the country, players and coaches are receiving better salaries and in the near future, the best ones will not leave the country again to play in Europe. The clubs are more organised than before and the infrastructure has everything that a player needs to perform well. The professionals are more qualified and the expertise is more and more available to everyone who wants to work in football.
The Jamaican players will be impressed when they see for themselves the way the Brazilians play. It is different and unique. They control the opponent by the quality passes and the velocity they give to the ball. They will see that the ball is used as a decoy. If they want to attack you by right flank, they will work with the ball on the left, affecting your balance and suddenly strike your team by the right flank or side.
Bullfighters
The Brazilians work like a bullfighters in the arena, they don't take a gun and kill the bull right away. They play with the bull and make the bull dance and make the fans enjoy the bullfight. (Always my daughter asks me to make it clear that we are not in favour of animals suffering, it is only a example to make my point!)
So for the players, it will be a learning experience that they will not forget. To watch on television is one thing, to see it live and learn from it is another. It will also help build character as individuals and as team members, being away from home, playing games, being in camp, getting to know one another.
On this trip, others will also benefit too. The JFF administrators and technical people will have the opportunity to observe and visit a training centre and football academy.
Broadening experience
The development of the local players and the broadening of their experience is very important for them to become better players for their clubs and for the country and then to become international players. After playing and camping in Brazil, playing in another country will not scare them as much. I felt that in the '90s also.
May God help us and the players that everything works well for Jamaica.