Brazil press calls for football rebirth

AFP/Rio de Janeiro

Brazilian newspapers sought answers yesterday for the national football team’s disastrous World Cup exit, blaming the coach for the “humiliation” and calling for the country’s beloved sport to be “reborn.”

The daily O Globo ran the headline “Embarrassment, Shame, Humiliation” with a picture of team captain David Luiz on his knees with his face down on the pitch.

The national media declared that Tuesday’s loss at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte eclipsed the trauma felt by Brazil when it lost in the trophy deciding match to Uruguay at home in 1950.

Globo columnist Fernando Calazans said it was “a much bigger tragedy” and asked whether officials were focused on bringing up the toughest defenders and powerful forwards instead of the best strikers and playmakers.

“Brazilian football has to be born again. It has to be reborn,” he wrote.

“Humiliation At Home,” wrote O Estado de Sao Paulo, stating that the defeat had “left the country perplexed.”

“While the 2-1 loss to Uruguay in 1950 had tragic circumstances, the 2014 elimination was marked by humiliation,” Folha said, saying ex-players called for a “reformulation” of national football.

The tabloid Meia Hora ran a dark front page saying “Nao Vai Ter Capa” (There Won’t Be A Cover), a play on words on the rallying cry of anti-tournament protesters who chant “Nao Vai Ter Copa” (There won’t be a cup).

“Go To Hell Felipao,” said daily O Dia, noting that Luiz Felipe Scolari had once said that those who don’t like his style can “go to hell.”