Young Brazilian poster boy Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior had a dream. He dreamt to walk with Brazilian dream in its historic HEXA mission and walk out with the dream fulfilled with the most coveted championship trophy.The boyish looking frail structured young boy instead was stretchered out with his vertebra broken in his back in the dying minute of the quarter final against Colombia. He cannot take any further part in this Brazil world cup putting paid to his dream walk with the team. 

This incident also deprived the football of a probable duet of two of present day super star of the world football Messi and Neymar if Brazil and Argentina appears in Maracana for an epic final. 

Brazil can still win the HEXA. But without the kingpin in action the task will get extremely difficult. Sensible football personalities including Football Gods Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona have condemned this incident. : 1.75 m tall Neymar born on February 5, 1992 is still in his early youth has world ahead of him. He will definitely buzz with greater glory if he grows in his own merry way. But it is shocking and saddening when the dream of a youth for a noble work in immaturely interrupted. We hope his incident will get natural justice through Brazil winning the cup at historic Maracana. He plays for FC Barcelona in the La Liga, the Spanish Primera División (First Division) of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP), alongside Messi donning number 11 jersey while he appears in number 10 for Brazil.

 This writer like millions of soccer fan around the world could not hold the tears when listening to the video clipping of Neymar to his fellow comrades dubbed in English. This sad incident brought into remembrance another similar incident happened to great footballer of all time living legend. Edson Arantes do Nascimento. Pele having dream debut in Brazil’s winning world cup 1958i and running away in 1962 with successive title in 1962 was 26 in 1966. However, 1970 Pele inspired Brazil winning the Jules Rimet trophy and making it their own.

 Pele Incident in 1966

 By the time of the World Cup in 1966, Pele was the most famous footballer in the world. He started the tournament in typical fashion with a goal from a free kick against Bulgaria, making him the first player to score in three World cups. Unfortunately though, that was the last moment of joy Pele experienced in the World cup in England. The Bulgarians spent the rest of the game fouling and kicking Pele forcing him out of Brazil’s second game against Hungary. Brazil lost that game meaning they needed a win in their final group game against Portugal. However, Portugal had obviously seen the success Bulgaria had achieved in taking Pele out of the game by kicking him and followed suit. Despite persistent and violent fouls on Pele, the referee refused to send off any off the Portuguese defenders and Pele had to hobble on for the ninety minutes as substitutes had not yet been introduced into the game. It was said that the referee let Portugal “get away with murder” as their disgraceful challenges on Pele went unpunished and the world’s best player was kicked and stamped out of the tournament. Brazil was eliminated from the World cup at the group stage and Pele vowed to never again play in a World Cup.

Neymar Incident in 2014:

Neymar inspired Brazil was merrily riding on its HEXA mission and had almost 4 of its required assignment almost done and dusted when Columbian defender Zuniga tackled him dangerously from behind and struck a telling blow on his back with his knee. FIFA Rule on tackling an advancing opponent player from behind has been outlawed. 

Law 12:

Fouls and Misconduct (Part 1 –fouls) states that a player can be penalized with a direct red card for a tackle from behind with careless, reckless intentions using excessive force would be penalized with a straight red card. If one view the video footage of what Zuniga did amply demonstrates that Zuniga did that but conspicuously got away even without a yellow card. FIFA is reportedly investigating into the incident. Even if a ban is imposed on Zuniga now the damage is already done as Neymar is ruled out from playing for at least six weeks.

Referring in general in World Cup 2014 is very ordinary with many mistakes. That particular match saw few other ugly charges which deserved punishing with cards. Former Argentina legend Diego Maradona criticized FIFA yet again for its stance on referees following the quarterfinal match between Brazil and Colombia. The foul-ridden game inspired Maradona's rant on his TV show, “De Zurda." The Argentine legend linked referee Velasco Carballo, who called a very poor game, with an alleged plan from FIFA to help the host nation advance to the semifinals. According to this conspiracy theory, FIFA wants Brazil to win their sixth championship at all costs. While Diego went a bit too far there is no denial that referee was also responsible for his very poor handling of the Brazil Colombia match.

With Neymar already out of action it is to be seen whether Brazil can still move on and whether Brazil Argentina can appear on a dream final at Maracana. Argentina has its work cut out as well Di Maria and Aguero injuries have also made their tasks a bit difficult.

 

Engr Khondkar A Saleque Sufi is a NRB Energy Professional and free lance sports Writer, has over four decades of sport writing experience starting from his BUET days in 1970s . He lives in Australia and spends his leisure in writing on Energy & Sports in different International magazines and Journals.

BDST: 0902 HRS, JUL 07, 2014