How many nations have won a major international tournament 15 times?To maintain those stats is the hallmark of a formidable confident side with a sublime history and strong administration to back it up.
The Copa America came to an end a few days back and it was Uruguay again walking away with the Winners trophy for the 15th time,defeating lacklustre and hapless Paraguay in the final. Luiz Suarez carved his name in the history by becoming the man of the tournament. Diego Forlan was the happiest of the lot as he followed his father and grandfather"s heroics into the record books as Copa American winner. He grabbed 2 goals to take his international tally to 31. So, 3 generations have won it ensuring the name of Forlan stays in history. Uruguay had their heydays in the 1930s when they won the first 2 World Cups and were a force to reckon with,after which they started declining gradually.With their 2011 Copa America triumph, Uruguay are now South America’s most successful team at the continental level. They have won a record 15 titles. Argentina follow behind with a title less whereas third-placed Brazil still have a long way to go with 8 Copa America trophies in their room of honors.
Personally, I want to see 2 things back in sports,especially in cricket and football. The return of Caribbean flavour in Cricket and Brazilian flavour in Football to their acme will be quite heartening to see. Its quite surprising to see the decline of South American giants Brazil and Argentina. Mano Menezes has its task cut out for the 2014 WC in Brazil. The likes of Pele,Ronaldo,Ronaldinho,Rivaldo have disappeared and Brazil is in a rebuilding stage. The only incentive for Brazil would be the home support but as we all know in a tournament like the WC, it hardly matters as every side is rejuvenated to represent his country in the world stage.For Argentina, gone are the days of Maradona and Batistuta and they are struggling to find a new Maradona in Messi,who unfortunately hasnt delivered in World stage as he has in the club matches.
So barring the lacklustre Brazil and resurgent Spain, every team has to go beyond leaps and bounds to qualify for the WC finals at Rio de Janeiro.
The Copa America came to an end a few days back and it was Uruguay again walking away with the Winners trophy for the 15th time,defeating lacklustre and hapless Paraguay in the final. Luiz Suarez carved his name in the history by becoming the man of the tournament. Diego Forlan was the happiest of the lot as he followed his father and grandfather"s heroics into the record books as Copa American winner. He grabbed 2 goals to take his international tally to 31. So, 3 generations have won it ensuring the name of Forlan stays in history. Uruguay had their heydays in the 1930s when they won the first 2 World Cups and were a force to reckon with,after which they started declining gradually.With their 2011 Copa America triumph, Uruguay are now South America’s most successful team at the continental level. They have won a record 15 titles. Argentina follow behind with a title less whereas third-placed Brazil still have a long way to go with 8 Copa America trophies in their room of honors.
Personally, I want to see 2 things back in sports,especially in cricket and football. The return of Caribbean flavour in Cricket and Brazilian flavour in Football to their acme will be quite heartening to see. Its quite surprising to see the decline of South American giants Brazil and Argentina. Mano Menezes has its task cut out for the 2014 WC in Brazil. The likes of Pele,Ronaldo,Ronaldinho,Rivaldo have disappeared and Brazil is in a rebuilding stage. The only incentive for Brazil would be the home support but as we all know in a tournament like the WC, it hardly matters as every side is rejuvenated to represent his country in the world stage.For Argentina, gone are the days of Maradona and Batistuta and they are struggling to find a new Maradona in Messi,who unfortunately hasnt delivered in World stage as he has in the club matches.
So barring the lacklustre Brazil and resurgent Spain, every team has to go beyond leaps and bounds to qualify for the WC finals at Rio de Janeiro.
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