Our selection gains another star, and Brazil its deserved patriotism!

I would like to see this World Cup more often... why not once a year... or every semester...? How beautiful it is to see children, young people and adults shouting proudly the name of their homeland... the green and yellow homeland... with or without cleats. What matters is that with each conquest, we take an enormous step toward everyday patriotism. Brazil deserves it... not only because it is five-time champion, but because we are a fighting, suffering people, yet always maintaining our joy and our inner desire to win in all the years leading up to the next and the next World Cup.

I write these words at this moment, proud of the crowd where I live... some even worshiped American fads... but today... today no, we were an example of patriotic citizens. Waving the beautiful Brazilian flag, stopping cars in the streets... a beautiful celebration, even with police intervention. The peak of this demonstration, in my opinion, was undoubtedly the Anthem sung by EVERYONE in the middle of the street. People left their means of transportation to join in one voice. Impressive... it gives you chills... I have a humble dream that flags on cars may wave in 2003, in 2004, in 2005... without hypocrisy... being genuine, enjoying and admiring our culture, like some friends of mine.

I mention here two I could not leave out: Fernando, who takes forró wherever he can with his zabumba and his knowledge of Brazilian roots music... and Fabiano, the punk, who if he hears someone speak ill of our country is capable of buying the guy a ticket to disappear from here. I hope everyone plants this seed that invades us every four years.... and that it grows, and grows strong... to last and last... regardless of World Cups... regardless of whether we were champions or not. Let us be BRAZILIANS... "the most incredible people on this planet"... I firmly believe this is the thought of many other countries.

On this land there is an enormous force, a magic that, even coming from football, is what makes many of us breathe with relief and, for a few moments, forget how sad hunger, violence and other ills that afflict us can be. My sincere plea: "Learn more about Brazil, rediscover Brazil, let us consume what it offers us, its music, its culture... this is ours by RIGHT... ours alone!"