Cultured Football #156
How is Brazil replacing the young talent it loses to Europe?
By Tim Vickery for ESPN
Brazilian players are being scooped up by European clubs at an increasingly early age, not only diluting the talent pool available to Brazilian clubs but depriving fans of the opportunity to experience these players at least for their formative years. In response, Brazilian clubs are looking around them and nitpicking the best young talent from neighbouring countries in their bids for local and continental success.
The Shadow of the Blueprint
By Tom Reed for Terrace Edition
In 1991’s Blueprint For The Future of Football, the Football Association focused on targeting affluent consumers and increasing profits rather than considering the impact on loyal fans and the working class. This has resulted in rising ticket prices and a shift towards more expensive amenities, while many traditional fans are being priced out of the sport. Money was the driving force behind the creation of the Premier League and the compulsion for ever more money is what is driving the recent increase in ticket prices across the board despite the riches from media deals. A detailed and unsparing read about the greed and hypocrisy within the English game.
Bonus Pick: Also from Terrace Football, a wonderful photo essay by Roberto Ruvo about the fan culture at Sampdoria.
A Deep Dive Into Europe's Goalkeepers In 2023/24
By Oliver Walker for StatsBomb
After breaking on to the European scene as an 18 year-old, Gigi Donnarumma was widely expected to be one of the top goalkeepers in the world for a long time. Yet, ever since he moved to Paris St. Germain, he has become something of a forgotten man. Yet the data shows that he is still excelling, saving 14% more shots than would be expected. That of Donnarumma is not the only myth exposed in this numbers driven analysis of every goalkeeper in European football.
Bonus Pick:
fans the flames of the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City by asking whether Darwin Nunez is a more complete forward than Erling Haaland.Thinking of someone who might enjoy Cultured Football? Let them know.
Fear and football in Saudi Arabia
By
for
Saudi Arabia recently jailed and punished football fans for singing a religious song during a match, revealing the country's repression and hypocrisy in promoting sports while disregarding human rights. A painful but important read.
Corinthian-Casuals – the non-league club that brought football to the world
By Finlay Stubbs for London Football Scene
Way before clubs began touring the world in search for another pay day, Corinthian FC put together a series of trips with the aim of bringing the game to different people. It worked. Now largely forgotten, this grand old club continues to play and delight those few hundred fans who regularly attend their home games. A few trips around the world are still possible, however, thanks to the links forged at the dawn of the game.
Every Saturday, Cultured Football brings you five great football articles you will enjoy reading.
Something Extra
Messi, Suárez and Insigne are lighting up things on the pitch in North America...but what about the growing football culture off it? For Darby Magazine creative contributor Hanin Mazri, it's all about the atmosphere. “There is a feeling you get when you’re in a stadium filled with passion, the ground you stand on shakes, maybe not physically but the feeling isn’t easily explained. That’s what I strive to capture.” he explains in this interview with Lower Block.
Speaking of Lower Block, Cultured Football is a BIG fan of their work, especially their photo zines celebrating football culture. And we have a sneaking suspicion that you are too. If that’s the case we have something extra for you: as a special offer for Cultured Football readers, Lower Block is extending a 20% discount on their zines. Just use the code 'CULTURED' at checkout to redeem your discount.
This is NOT an affiliate link and Cultured Football will NOT receive payment from any purchase you make. It is simply a great offer! We feel it is important to be as transparent as possible with our readers and will always inform you if any purchase will benefit Cultured Football.
Last Week’s (Joint) Most Read: FC Augsburg: The Bundesliga's Unfancied Over-Achievers
By Adam Khanfor The German Football Weekly
I’m increasingly finding myself drawn to German football partly because of the fan culture but largely because money seem to have a lot less sway over there (Bayern Munich excluded, of course). As a result you find more clubs who punch above their weight through a mix of good recruitment, young players and interesting managers. Bayer Leverkusen and, to a lesser extent, Stuttgart have been the break-out stars of this season overshadowing the excellent performances of a third minnow: Augsburg.
Last Week’s (Joint) Most Read: ‘Everything is possible’: YMCA football team’s rise to Norwegian top flight
By Daniel Harris for The Guardian
KFUM-Kameratene Oslo, a small YMCA community club in Norway, will make their top-flight debut thanks to their smart and planned growth. They have a unique philosophy and focus on creating a positive and respectful environment for their players. Despite their limited budget, they believe their technical skills give them an advantage over their opponents. Their story of success is already a triumph, regardless of what happens next. If the phrase “their ground holds only 3,000 and is accessed via a zebra crossing” doesn’t make you feel all warm inside towards KFUM (or, at least, eager to read this piece), I don’t know what will…