The Beautiful Game

As the qualification process winds down and more and more countries learn their fate ahead of the World Cup draw in Durban on December 4^th – a true nightmare is potentially going to happen for FIFA.

We are not talking about riots, or issues with South Africa’s infrastructure – we are talking about the potential for the two best players on the planet not being present next summer. That very outcome is hanging over Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Not only is this a massive issue for FIFA’s PR and Marketing team, but it is also a massive blow to all those who love the game.

Firstly, Ronaldo’s Portugal have struggled throughout their Qualification Group and look like sneaking into the Play-offs at the expense of Sweden. However, that will mean immense pressure and some very strong teams in the Play-offs - potentially the winker might not get the chance to play on the greatest stage of all when in the form of his life. He may be arrogant, he may fall to the ground easily but he is an amazing talent, and the most expensive footballer in history. Although Portugal have knocked out England in recent times, I would love to see Ronaldo lighting up the tournament, at least up until the Quarter Finals.

Secondly, the shambles that is the management style of Diego Maradona looks likely to condemn Argentina to miss their first FIFA World Cup in 39 years. Late, late, late in to Saturday night a last minute goal by the 57 year old striker Martin Palermo (okay, 35) meant Argentina scraped a victory against Peru (the same Peru team that had played eight games, lost them all, scored two goals and conceded 24). They now have to look to their final match away against Uruguay and hope results go their way to clinch the last Qualification spot or even the South American Play-Off place. Maradona has used a staggering 70-something players during Qualification and by no means is he left with an easy fixture as Uruguay have a phenomenal record at Montevideo.

He seems to make impulsive decisions before and during matches. If Messi ends up missing the 2010 FIFA World Cup, not only will Adidas be smarting (he is their lead global athlete) but the tournament will feel like something is missing – now imagine if both were to miss out.

What this could mean is a real shift in the perception of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Usually a tournament is talked about through the players. The Ronaldo World Cup of 2002, the Baggio World Cup of 1994, Pele 1958, Maradona 1986.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup could change that and move from superstar flair players, to organised and combative teams – working together towards the common goal. Victory.

 This will give the likes of Germany and excellent chance in South Africa, and also should see Brazil do well as Dunga has evolved a team of eleven isolated players in 2006 into a physical and powerful unit, with a hint of flair.

I can’t wait for next summer, but I just hope that come December 4^th Portugal and Argentina are in the hat and we avoid a FIFA World Cup being remembered as per Euro 2004 – the Greek Tragedy.

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Later on this season I shall be making a football pilgrimage to the home of the holders of the UEFA Champions League, FC Barcelona. Over the coming years I plan to visit all the major footballing arenas across the globe. From Wembley Stadium to the San Siro to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and one day the Estádio do Maracanã in Brazil. The list goes on. It is a long one, but a great one and my plan was to take in a match at Camp Nou this Autumn.

However, the logistics of my trip have clashed with the recent La Liga fixtures and instead of witnessing the Messi and Pep show at the Camp Nou I will instead be heading over to the other side of Barcelona and taking in RCD Espanyol v Tenerife. Some may see this as a disappointment, others a failure of organisation and planning and frankly a bit of a waste of time.

However, to me it is a footballing opportunity.

Chances are that RCD Espanyol/Tenerife, Fulham/Wolves, Genoa/Bari or Cologne/Vfl Bochum would provide a clearer indication of the power of the top European leagues than the standard matches that happen at the tail end of the UEFA Champions League. Sure the players are not considered as good (they are probably earning a lot less than Cristiano Ronaldo) and get less headlines but that does not mean they can not play. We are still talking about elite professionals. For example, I will get to see Iván de la Peña, Carlos Kameni and Shunsuke Nakamura play for RCD Espanyol - all International footballers.

I am excited by RCD Espanyol v Tenerife and the true experience at the new Estadi Cornella-el Prat stadium, and I encourage others to not always be drawn to the flame of the glamour clubs - there is more out there to experience and enjoy within the game we all love.

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