The further Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos go toward retaining the gold trophy of the Goddess of Victory holding the world aloft, the more joy they will bring to those who can suspend nationalism when they watch the game. The best striker at my club Bayern Munich is Elber. In fact, he's the best in the Bundesliga. Germany would love to have him, but his country Brazil doesn't need him. Soccer games are not won by artistry alone.
Brazil is, as ever, flawed in defense.
Goalkeeper Taffarel hasn't the safest hands. Fullbacks Cafu and Roberto Carlos attack so adventurously that they leave gaps. Midfield anchor, Dunga, is 34, and fighting injury. The first to challenge Brazil, at the Stade de France on Wednesday, Scotland has nothing to lose but honor. It was a Scot, Charles Miller, who first took a ball to Brazil and Brits have labored the better part of half a century to win back the ball on the pitch.