The 2002 World Cup winner Edmílson has stated that he dislikes comparing different generations of the Brazilian national team. On the program CNN Esportes S/A this Sunday (10), the former player highlighted key changes in football that have influenced the squad with the most World Cup titles.
“I think the dynamics of the football market have changed, and I don’t like making too many comparisons—whether between teams, generations, or moments. Today’s Brazilian football market is different from 30 years ago. Back then, a player had to prove himself at his local club first; he dreamed of playing for the club in the capital where he lived, then he thought about playing for the national team, and only later considered moving abroad. Now, young players leave right after almost a single season at the club where they developed, heading straight to Europe,” Edmílson said.
He pointed out the main difficulty Brazil has faced in recent years: a lack of identity. The former defender and midfielder also praised the current Canarinho players. “We have talented players, but I think we need to regain our identity. Brazil has always had an identity based on improvisation, creativity, and one-on-one play. During this entire period, we tried to adapt to styles like Guardiola’s—possession-based, building from the back—but Brazil has always had its own way of building play.”
Edmílson also commented on the new era in football, referring to “players who become companies.” He cited social media as a problem and said athletes are now “shielded and inaccessible.” “The mechanism of football has changed, and as it changed, players became more shielded and inaccessible. Because today there are social networks, and each player is a company with several advisors. Besides the agent, they have many other business interests off the field. Sometimes they earn more money from advertising and social media than from their salary,” he said.
