Nostalgia on TV reignites old Brazil debate

Welcome back to the Brazil Sports newsletter! This week, with Brazilian TV showing reruns of classic matches, an interesting debate on style v. results has been reignited, using the 1982 World Cup as a backdrop. Meanwhile, we have the latest on Ronaldinho, out of jail, but still in Paraguay. Happy reading!

Nostalgia on TV reignites old Brazil debate

It may shock Brazilians to know that outside of its borders, the most famous and adored Brazilian World Cup side by some distance is Telê Santana’s 1982 team. Equally, it may shock foreigners to know that in Brazil, the 1982 side is often ignored, cast aside in favor of the teams of 1970, 1994, or 2002.

• The deciding factor in Brazil is clear: the country won the World Cup in 1970, 1994, and 2002, while in 1982, they were eliminated at the second group stage. Therefore, there can be no comparison for Brazilians. The disappointment of defeat clouds any debate over the magic and importance of the 1982 side, heralded by non-Brazilians as one of the most exciting football teams of all-time ever.
• As we mentioned last week, Brazilian sports channels are filling up space on their schedules by airing reruns of classic matches. And it is in this context that the 1982 side is beginning to have something of a renaissance, with an entire generation of fans seeing Zico, Socrates, and co. for the very first time.

How good were they?...