The figure of France caused an unusual stir by commenting that “in South America, football is not as advanced as in Europe” and that “this is why the Europeans win the last World Cups “. Not a few came out to answer him. In fact, what the PSG player said has a handle. It’s been 20 years since a Conmebol cast won the World Cup, but today the FIFA rankings are led by Brazil. Something similar happens at the team level. Yesterday, in the defeat of Peru, South America shortened the list of representatives it will have in Qatar.
Of course, internally Kylian Mbappe he never thought of the commotion his words would cause, especially on this side of the world. In full renewal with PSG, the 2018 world champion projected what could happen in Qatar and bet his chips on the Europeans, on the South Americans. “The advantage we have here is that we always play high-level matches, we have the Nations League for example. When we get to the World Cup, we will be ready.” Although that was not all. It was spicier with his analysis of what is going on within Conmebol. “Argentina and Brazil don’t play high-level matches to reach the World Cup. In South America, football is not as advanced as in Europe. And that’s why when you look at the latest World Cups, it’s always the Europeans who win.” sentenced.
Mbappé’s statements sparked a series of mixed opinions. Several South American footballers responded to the French crack, refuting his vision. It was the case of the Brazilian fabinho . “It’s not easy. We travel 12 hours to play in South America, we have to play in places like Bolivia, which is not easy. I don’t know if France have ever played in Bolivia” , retorted the Liverpool midfielder.
He was not the only one. also spoke Angel Di Maria , who was a teammate of Mbappé at PSG. “There was a lot of talk because of what Kylian said, but we have to play with those in South America, just like they meet those here. We have shown once again that we are up to those of Europe… There are teams that are very strong, but we are at a very good level, we are candidates,” said Fideo, key to Albiceleste’s victory over Italy in the Finalissima. Even legendary César Luis Menotti came to a crossroads, challenging the Frenchman to play for Chacarita Juniors, a traditional Trans-Andean club.
However, the defeat of the Peruvian team against Australia, which made South America lose a place in the World Cup in Qatar, reopened the debate. Since 2006, when Uruguay also fell to the ocean, which on this side of the world has not given up a place in the event which brings together the best teams in the world.
In a World Cup year alone, the debate has taken hold in the middle: the difference between European and South American football, both at national team and club level. Is Kylian Mbappé right? In recent years, the results give substance to the perception of the Gallic striker, noted precisely at a time when this distance was growing.
In the World Cups, there was a South American predominance until Korea-Japan. Between 1930 and 2002, our continental representatives won the supreme title nine times: five from Brazil (’58, ’62, ’70, ’94 and ’02), two from Argentina (’78 and ’86) and two from Uruguay (’30 and ’50). During this streak, Europe has won the World Cup eight times: three from Italy (’34, ’38 and ’82), three from Germany (’54, ’74 and ’90), one from England (’66) and one from France (’98). But after the World Cup organized in Asia, the hegemony was reversed and now belongs to the Europeans: Italy in 2006, Spain in 2010, Germany in 2014 and France in 2018. At the last four World Cups, only one finalist was not from UEFA: Argentina, in 2014. In this year 2022, it will be 20 years without a South American world champion.
Argentina’s remarkable triumph over Italy at Wembley added spice to the debate, although the Azzura did not qualify for the World Cup, again (in this same stadium he won the European Championship against England). This dichotomy that is generated can also be seen in the FIFA ranking. In the latest update, Brazil appears in the lead, after having dethroned Belgium, which dominated the list until recently. Meanwhile, the Albiceleste is fourth.
And in teams?
The Club World Cup entered to replace what was the Intercontinental Cup. It is no longer a unique duel between the monarch of the Champions League against that of the Libertadores. From now on, all the champions of each confederation enter the scene. More democratic, but less competitive. Here too there is a pause.
Between the year 2000, when this new competition began, until 2012, the last time a South American won it, the fight between Conmebol and UEFA was tight. During this period, the Europeans have won the title five times, while the South Americans have done so four times. That was until 2012 when Corinthians beat Chelsea to definition. It was the last victory for this side of the world over the elite of the Old Continent. But everything has changed.
From 2013 to today, the hegemony of Europe is total. They have won the Club World Cup nine times in a row. And during this period there have been editions in which the representatives of Conmebol did not even reach the final, breaking the logic: Atlético Mineiro in 2013, Atlético Nacional in 2016, River Plate in 2018 (after beating Boca the memorable Madrid final) and Palmeiras in 2020.
In the extinct Intercontinental, the balance sheet reflects a superiority of South America over Europe, with 22 crowns against 21 .
This dichotomous phenomenon also occurs with the world teams in the most reliable ranking that includes them: that of the International Federation of History and Statistics (IFFHS). In 2021, for the first time, a Brazilian club won the award for the best team in the world for the year . He was Palm trees , double champion of the Libertadores. And the second is also from Brazil: Atlético Mineiro. Of course, it’s also worth noting that Verdao hasn’t been able to shift that weight in global instances, such as the Club World Cup.
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Source: Latercera
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
