This is a very relative question and it changes a lot over time.
Yes, because there was a period in Brazilian football that, believe it or not, nothing was worth more than beating the currently cornered State.
Proof of this is that, in 1976, when Corinthians reached the final of the Brazilian Championship, in the bars of the city of São Paulo there was only talk that “it’s no use winning this trophy there to get out of the queue (which had already lasted 22 years) ! Paulista has to win!”
But the local championships started to lose relevance in the 90’s and today nobody cares about them anymore.
Libertadores has also been treated with great disdain.
It only became an “obsession” out there after the two monumental conquests of São Paulo in the 1990s.
After those titles, everyone wanted to go to Japan to beat a European team.
But before that…
And today I see that there are many people who continue to value the continental tournament.
Even exaggeratedly.
I hear many fans justifying the lackluster campaigns in the Brazilian of their teams out there with the argument that “the important thing is to get a spot in Libertadores”.
Or saying “the important thing is to be able to advance in the continental tournament! In the Brazilian you can put up to the under-17 team”.
Guys, I find this unacceptable!
Yes, because I don’t consider the Conmebol tournament to be the most important for our teams.
The one that takes more work, more travel, more games and requires more regularity is the Brasileirão.
He’s not perfect, it’s true.
It would be impeccable if it had a single round and a second round played by knockout.
But it is still what has to be valued more than Libertadores.
Even because the continental competition is a mess, let’s face it.
And I demand that the wealthy Flamengo, Palmeiras and Atlético-MG also have this vision.
Because, the way they are facing the Nacional, they will end up handing the most noble cup of our football to a zebra.
do you agree?
Opine!
