The old and the new soccer
By marguicha
@marguicha (230350)
Chile
January 20, 2013 2:14pm CST
I was having an argument with my brother a couple of days ago about different perspectives to see soccer. Now they have special competitions at international level for young members of national soccer teams. He told me that those were the players that could reach up later and be in a national team later on. I think that when a player is good enough, he does not have to be older, except maybe for goalkeepers. Pelé helped win the cup for Brasil when he was 18. Maradona was 16 the fisrt time he played some minutes for Argentina in an international game. There are other examples. What do you say? Do soccer played need those extra years to be "old enough" to be in the first team? Is it different now?
6 responses
@mohkanari (1957)
• India
21 Jan 13
There isn't any such "maturing period" to a young player having playing talent as any other player in national team, to be included in national team. Actually these players mentioned here, may need to prove their talent more to be included in nation team. On the other hand Coach/ Team management may not like full time playing of younger talents in initial international matches, being of cautious of tough tackling of opponent players. Experience is an important factor to move among such tough tackling.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
21 Jan 13
I understand that tough tackling can be a problem. But if players are awesome, they go beyond that. My husband was a center back (and a good one) when he played with Pelé. He usually stopped the players of the other team. He was bigger and stronger than most of the forwards. But he always said that he didn´t even see Pelé as he flew past
@mohkanari (1957)
• India
22 Jan 13
It is a great information that your husband have played with Pele. As you said it is impossible to stop players like Pele Maradona, Johan Cruyff etc just by tough tactics or body strength. I have seen in TV replays, Maradona moving forward with ball circled by 2 or 3 opponent players.
@prashu228 (37518)
• India
21 Jan 13
Hi
Soccer is not very famous in our country. Here its only about cricket always.
But When it comes to soccer i know only two names Maradona and Ronaldo . But yes i often hear the news about soccer . I dont think age has anything to do with play. As you mentioned about the two people we can say that .
1 person likes this
@mohkanari (1957)
• India
22 Jan 13
In past time football was the most popular sports item in India. India was 4th in 1956 Melbourne Olympics too. But after 70s media started giving high publicity to cricket matches and players making Cricket as the most popular game. Now India's position in International Football ranking is far after 100.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
21 Jan 13
Not necessarily!
It depends on the performance of the player.
@Renhard (3471)
• Jamaica
21 Jan 13
I love soccer but I can't go down to such players to tell you details. What I can tell you though is no matter what age, as long as child has talent to such a high degree then let he use such skills. To me age doesn't matter, but rather skills. If a 5 year old can play soccer like a professional then put him on the team if he is willing to play. Wayne Rooney as an example of joining a team early and scoring goals. I think his first professional goal was at age 16 from way out, magnificent.
@tkonlinevn (6427)
• Vietnam
29 Jan 13
As me, healthy is the most important issue. He still plays soccer if he's healthy. But I must say that health and old are usually going together! :)
