2010 World Cup: Maicon turning into Brazil's saviour in South Africa
The Brazilian team may have been taunted by both fans and critics for their latest victory against North Korea but despite a final score line of 2-1, the level of game that the Selecao stars showed was not even close to the one that can be expected from the five time World Champions.
Although there was some reassurance for the Selecao as it seems that they have managed to find a replacement for the legendary Roberto Carlos. The ex-Real Madrid star had helped lift their 5th World Cup title in Japan in 2002 by featuring at the full back position - managing to play as a winger and score goals as well.
Up till now, the performance given by Kaka hasn’t been what he had promised before the World Cup and the team’s substitute for Ronaldo, Luis Fabiano hasn’t lived up to his reputation either. With these conditions and the exclusion of Ronaldinho from the team, the Brazilian squad will be happy with any possibility of a new inspiring scorer for the team.
At the moment, Brazilian right back Maicon seems to be on the rise and it seems that he may soon take the place of Carlos. To do just that, he is in a perfect position after having a marvellous home campaign which got his team to win the Champions League. Maicon performed brilliantly throughout the Champions League to clinch the silverware.
Ronaldo’s stay at Inter Milan was heavily blistered with knee injuries and he was only able to manage the triumphs at UEFA. Later, he came to Real Madrid where after some good performances and a La Liga title, his performances took a steady decline.
While Jose Mourinho was the king at San Siro, Maicon assisted a great deal so that Inter could get their Series A title along with ending their historic curse of nearly 40 years of the Champions League drought.
Now that Mourinho is at Real and the conqueror wants Maicon at Bernabeu, the player is picturing a move that was seen about a decade earlier when Roberto Carlos made a switch from Inter to Real. Though there are obstacles being placed by the board in his transfer, it is highly likely that it will take place in the end.
While talking to the media, Maicon expressed that he believed that his career was starting to build up for the better and that if he managed to play a role in the FIFA World Cup, it would be the perfect cherry on the sundae.
After the match against North Korea, the as rising Selecao star referenced to the match by saying, “That really would be something special. I am really in a purple patch and just don't want it to end”.
In the match against North Korea, Maicon was the man of the hour when he broke the stale mate between the two teams with fast pace, impeccable dribbling and then a finesse finish. The run towards the net was sparked up a clear memory of the drives that Carlos used to make right from the back of the midfield till the end of the other.
Maicon, who 28 years of age comes from Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. He didn’t make it to the team in the World Cup of 2006. He missed out because Cicinho took his place in the squad back then. Despite the obstacles, Maicon has been part of the 2004 Copa America 2004 and the 2005 Confederations Cup squad.
He started his career with Gremio while he came to Europe in the year 2004. He then came to Europe in 2004 and played Monaco for two long seasons. It was from here that Inter Milan spotted his talent and brought him up to the star that Maicon is today.
His goal for Brazil was pivotal for Brazil’s success and has given some hope from Brazil to up their game and play a bit more offensively. Despite Ji Yun-Nam scored a goal to Korea relief Elano brought the game back home in the end.
The Brazilian coach Dunga had nothing but praise for the star. He exuberantly stated, “We played satisfactorily - but I must single out Maicon both for his goal and his general play”.
Maicon’s game reminds of the style that Mourinho applies in his games that are to play prudently and pragmatically and become opportunist where fate gives you a chance. Maicon optimistically added after the match, “We can play the pretty stuff or play ugly but the thing is to get to the final on July 11 and we want to win the trophy”.
Tags: