If you were to choose an animal to play in goal, a spider may well be one of the first choices given its array of limbs, and that was clearly the thinking at Santos in opting for Mario Lucio Costa Duarte between the sticks. His nickname, though, is a reference to former Russia goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who was christened the Black Spider following the World Cup. Now first choice at leading Paulista club Santos, Aranha is one of the leading players of the current generation of animals in Serie A.
Legendary former Brazil goalkeeper Emerson Leao often lives up to his "Lion" status in his career as a coach. He may not be universally successful in the role, but he is old-school in his methods and is not afraid of a confrontation or two with players or the media.
His roar appears to be worse than his bite when it comes to success in management, though. A combative box-to-box midfielder of considerable size, it is easy to see how he acquired the nickname that has now become his footballing name. Even in China, fans have been quick on the uptake, with the player often referred to as Xiao Xiong, or "Little Bear," on social media sites.
The King of Rome may have become his nickname during his time in Italy, but Paulo Roberto Falcao was blessed with an excellent name from birth—Falcao or "Falcon. Birds are not uncommon in Brazilian names, but Falcao is one of the few for whom the name is actually a surname.
However, there are other Falcaos—such as the futsal star—for whom it is a nickname. Falcao was one of the most prominent footballers of the s, taking on a starring role in the World Cup alongside Socrates and Zico. A Brazilian striker of some repute throughout the s, Donizete Pantera was named for his goal celebration in which he mimicked the prowl of a panther. The pair, who grew up together at Santos, were really quite close, on and off the pitch. Ganso is lazy yet lavishly good, a luxury who tugged on the heartstrings of all those whose beliefs are steeped in Samba football.
No pressure, then. The pressure, instead, went the other way. Read Kerlon and the demise of a great that never was. When Ganso and Neymar started shining in the season before the World Cup, Brazil boss Dunga was bombarded with questions about including both starlets in his squad to take to South Africa. Just after making his senior debut for the Selecao, a year-old Ganso was sidelined for several months with a knee injury that followed and foreshadowed his rotten luck with fitness problems.
Having sat out the first leg, Ganso played the return fixture alongside the likes of Neymar, Danilo and Alex Sandro, all of who made the journey to Europe in subsequent years. Instead, Ganso, still with no call from across the Atlantic, settled for a move to Sao Paulo. From there he watched Lucas Moura go to Paris Saint-Germain, Welliton end up at Spartak Moscow and Souza switch to Fenerbahce, all the time being reminded of what a career in Europe can do for your reputation.
There were reasons why countless European clubs were linked with him, yet only Sevilla were brave enough to sign him. Those reasons were laid bare in Spain, as Ganso struggled to get to grips with the jumpy tempo of LaLiga. There were, of course, moments of sheer brilliance in Andalusia, including sublime flicks, little tricks and defence-splitting passes, yet, like when a magician finishes their party-piece and moves on, you were always left wanting more.
The trouble for Ganso was, while he carried this sort of gift in possession, he played that way without the ball, too. Injuries obviously played their part and, as time went on, he covered fewer and fewer blades of grass.
Read Diego Ribas: the other half of a double act once destined for greatness. At a club and under a coach whose principles are built on passion and intensity, it was a mismatch at Sevilla, even after Sampaoli had left. That was about where the comparisons between the Brazilian compatriots ended, though. A joy. It is clear that in recent times players with Ganso's skill set have been forced back, dropping to find space, organising the game from deeper with their range of passing.
Andrea Pirlo is the shining example. Maybe had Ganso moved to Europe earlier -- he went in at the age of 26 -- he would have developed in a different way. The performance of Giovani Lo Celso for PSG against Real Madrid last week highlights the pitfalls; an elegant playmaker without many defensive responsibilities in Argentine football, he clearly struggled with his marking duties.
But Lo Celso is 21, and has time to learn. Paulo Henrique Ganso is 28, and instead of starring in the Champions League, he is forced to watch from the sidelines. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. Ganso from superstar to forgotten man. Kane to Man City? Conte faces fight to keep Spurs striker. Sources: Aguero not thinking of retirement. Osimhen delighted to have 'brother' Ighalo back with Nigeria. Brazil made to work as they qualify for World Cup.
Brazil beat Colombia to qualify for World Cup. The race for World Cup places: what every country needs in Europe. Portugal held by Ireland after Pepe sees red. Spain on cusp of World Cup after win at Greece. Romania's World Cup hopes rocked by stalemate with Iceland.
0コメント