Extract from the opinion article by Alexander Juggins. Full text can be read on IMPACT, the University of Nottingham's Official Student Magazine


Being the Best: the Myth of Talent

Another interesting case-study for consideration is from the beautiful game itself. And no nation has made the game look oh so beautiful as the Brazilians. Over the years, the likes of Pele, Ronaldinho, and a plethora of other South American soccer stars have dazzled world-wide audiences with their unparalleled skill and unrivalled, seemingly effortless technique. Deservedly dubbed the greatest footballing nation, Brazil have claimed five world cup victories, and have produced a long list of ‘talented’ and ‘gifted’ players with ‘football in their blood’. Why so? The answer is futebal de salao, or futsal. This version of the game is played religiously in the slums and favelas of the great footballing nation. Incorporating a smaller, heavier ball in a confined space, the game demands high tempo, flawless ball control, and tremendous vision. According to a university study, players involved in a game of futsal touch the ball on average six times more per minute than in the conventional game, thus accelerating the development of players’ skills. Concise passing is quintessential, and when players then move up to a full-size pitch, it seems vast, and time on the ball seems endless. Pele, Ronaldo, and reams of other Brazilian stars all trace their footballing roots to playing futsal as a young pretender. Futsal is exemplar of the rewards of well-designed training, and has more recently been adopted in local clubs in England, with incredible results.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com