If any player was told they would lift a trophy on the night of the World Cup FInal, the expected reaction would be one of ecstasy and delight.
However, as Lionel Messi climbed the Maracana stands to pose for a photo with Manuel Neuer, the image would capture him in a more solemn than celebratory mood.
The understandable distress of losing in extra time was evident for the world to see. Manuel Neuer – the World Cup champion of the two – would remain humble for the photo.
But while in 10 minutes the German goalkeeper would be pictured having traded the Golden Gloves trophy for that of the World Cup, Lionel would descend the pillars of the stadium and return to his distraught teammates.
Even Messi, a player whose teamwork has been questioned, knew that this was not the time to celebrate. Having lost the World Cup final, he had nothing to feel happy about.
Coming minutes after a victory for an obsessively cohesive German side, the photo – intended to show two players embracing solo achievements – resonantly and unintentionally acts as a reminder of the failures of individualism in football.
At the first ever World Cup, Argentinian forward Guillermo Stabile scored eight goals to win the 1930 Golden Boot award. Since then, the legacies of some of the world’s greatest ever strikers have been built upon their champion prolificacy on the world’s biggest stage.
Eusebio, Gerd Muller, Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo have all seen their careers christened by Golden Boot wins, and awarding players for scoring the most goals is a fitting tribute that only boosts the competitiveness of the sport.
Of late the emphasis on achievement has shifted increasingly towards the player. Since 1978, the Golden Ball has been a quadrennial addition to the tournament, and in 1994 the Golden Gloves, for the best goalkeeper, was introduced.
The Award for Best Young Player, this time around awarded to french midfielder Paul Pogba, has also foreseen some illustrious careers including Franz Beckenbauer and Marc Overmars, and was inducted in 1958 and won by a 17-year-old Pele.
As far as hindering careers goes, it is clear then that the issue is not the effect these awards have on the winning players. Instead, the culmination of new awards and statistics has reached the stage where it is almost damaging the ethos of the team game and is threatening to abandon the traditional recognition of all eleven players.
When you have 23 men in a squad, it is blatant that not all the players will be of equal ability. Every team naturally has its best players, but what was significantly present at this World Cup more than any other was the notion of the talisman.
In the run up to the tournament, Nike ran a series of adverts featuring animated alter-egos of who they believed to be the world’s best players. Including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Neymar, Andreas Iniesta, Franc Ribery and David Luiz, the advertising campaign meant that these players were the symbols of the World Cup.
These men were everywhere. Three weeks later, and Cristiano, Iniesta and Rooney suffered shambolic group stage exits and David Luiz had a nightmare end to the tournament. Ribery and Neymar were both hit by injury – the Frenchman’s played no part in the Cup.
This may be a colossal coincidence, but in a couple of these cases it may not be too much of a stretch to say that Nike played some part in their downfall.
The players featured in the adverts were elevated in such a way that a way that it seemed as if these were the undisputed kings of their teams. You would have thought that this would’ve put enormous pressure on the players to perform, especially Rooney – looking to end his drought – and Neymar, who is Brazil’s poster boy.
But once again, it was not the eponymous heroes to felt the full force of the bullet. Even when an out of position Rooney was not performing, the expectation and ideology built up around Rooney transpired to Hodgson, who did not drop him even after a disappointing first game.
And perhaps the epitome of the World Cup talisman was no other than Neymar and Messi. It is no secret that football is the culture of Brazil, and Neymar deflected all pressure that had been pushed on him by played well enough to ensure that Brazil qualified from the groups.
Four goals and an assist from the 22-year-old set Neymar immediately on course for the Golden Ball. However in the quarter final game against Colombia, the dream shared between him and his country collapsed.
A high challenge by defender Zuniga would see Neymar out of the World Cup, but a shocked Brazil team proceeded to the semi without him. For the game against Germany, players emerged in Forca Neymar hats, and some even wore t-shirts in support of him.
The emotion previously shown by the Brazilians during the national anthems had been amplified even further. The next 90 minutes would see Brazil implode in their biggest ever defeat and one of the most shocking games of football ever played.
Dependency on the youngster had reached such a level that Brazil now had no belief they could win without him, and missing captain Thiago Silva as well, they were simply too emotionally and mentally jarred to perform.
Rather than coming together as a team, losing Neymar gave Brazil almost an excuse to fail. In a tournament where failure was not an option. Defining Neymar as the star of the Brazil set up was only counter-productive in their success, even if he wasn’t the one directly feeling the pressure.
Brazil are team of world-class players, and that cannot be argued, but their scenario should be used as warning for teams forgetting that individualism is not the key to success.
But really, this is a 50-year-old lesson.
Observe the make up of all the great teams – from Brazil 1970, to Madrid 1960, to Barcelona in the early 21st century – and what you will notice is their distinct playing styles.
But while Pele, Di Stefano and Xavi could all be picked out for their immense talent, Barcelona’s Tiki-Taka could not have happened with only Xavi. Like wise, the Brazil team of the 70s and 80s are famous for their dominance as a collective force, and one which utilised and not relied upon the greats.
When Pele was injured in the 1962 World Cup it did little to divert their quality, but this could not have contrasted more in 2014. For this reason it seems fitting that Germany, the World Cup winners, are such a collective group.
It is thus significant that Loew’s calculated passing game that beat Argentina in the final operates without a real ‘star’, and instead depends on a team of players all putting in outstanding performances.
Whether or not individual commendations are detrimental or beneficial, Manuel Neuer’s Golden Glove win highlights the base of this German team, in comparison to Brazil’s. Neuer was near unbeatable in goal for Germany, a fact that was strikingly highlighted in their 7-1 win over Brazil.
Julio Cesar didn’t have an awful tournament, but in unlike in Brazil’s case, great performances came from all over the pitch for Germany. Excluding his inclusion as manger, Loew’s men made up more than half of the all star team. Compare it to the home nation’s only pick, and this is really making a statement.
So while Lionel Messi knew that collecting a solo award was no reason to celebrate, it’s evident that Manuel Neuer’s lack of jubilation in front of the camera was because he felt he had no right to celebrate without the rest of his team.
The World Cup is a team tournament for a team sport, and this World Cup proved more than ever that it can’t be won alone.
NaBUru38
Guest
I agree with your essay, Leon. Proper teams beat the all-stars teams at the 2014 World Cup.
Tigranes
Guest
At least rooney, iniesta and neymar made the world. Cup, poor old zlatan wasn't even at the World Cup...zlatan not agree
DaBomB
Guest
Marko, You have made many fair points but as much as Messi's genius might have inspired me, nothing took my breath away more than Germany's 4 goals v Brazil (goals 2-5). I thought I was dreaming and my alarm clock was about to go off to get me up for the kick off!!!
AR
Guest
Well done Leon - top read. The oft' used adage that a champion team will always beat a team of champions was ironically drummed home in that Nike ad which ran ad nauseum through the tournament. For Brazil, it's response to losing Neymar was one of the most bizarre lessons in 'what not to do'. The holding up of his shirt before kickofff was like saying "Look! This is the reason we won't win!" Quite fitting (in relation to this article especially) that the final was won by Die Mannschaft.
EPLextra
Roar Rookie
Interesting article and a well made argument. The narrative in football is an essential part of the way fans, writers and the media relate to actions that take place on the field. Every World Cup has had a defining narrative that attempts to explain how the two teams reached the final. These often fit in with broad national characteristics (deserved or not) of the nations involved. For the 2014 World Cup it was billed as the individual versus the collective. The team built around a once in a generation talent versus a team of stars that individually might shine less brightly, but when combined could outshine the sun. The idea of a hard working, efficient team fed into the stereotypical idea of the German playing style of World Cups past, but now they had added a technical aspect to their style of play that had elevated their game. For the Argentinians, theirs was a team that harked back to the era of Maradona, one built around an amazing player capable of creating a moment of brilliance which could decide a game. There were rumours that such was the influence of Messi that it was his ideas that led to a change in formation and possibly team selection (Tevez not making the squad for example). A World Cup final needs a point of difference in the protagonists as it helps the fans and the media make sense of the events they see (for example, the 2010 final which pitched the intricate and elaborate tika-taka of Spain up against what turned out to be the physical and at times brutal play of the Dutch as they betrayed the memory of Total Football and Cruyff). It can also mean that people can overlook certain aspects that don't fit in their version of events. For example, while undoubtedly the Argentinians were heavily reliant on Messi, their team was also a highly calibrated and balanced team like the Germans. My own view was that the loss of Di Maria in the quarter-final against Belgium that was the biggest loss for Argentina as the partnership between him and Messi was crucial to the way they played. In the post WWII era as football has become more globalised, there has been an unrelenting shift away from the individuals to the team. This, of course, is natural as the world has become a smaller place. Information flows more freely and there are fewer and fewer surprises in world football. I have a feeling that this World Cup will be the last time we see a true ‘individual against the collective’ narrative as systems, technical play and tactical decisions promote the importance of the team as a whole at the expense of individual flair. There will always be a place in football for moments of stunning brilliance that take the breath away, but it’s becoming more likely that such individuals will not be able to carry their team to the ultimate glory of being crowned world champions. Marko
Woodo
Guest
While the whole ethos of the German team is about playing without any need for a superstar to carry them I personally think they do still rely on a talisman - take Schweiney out of the starting lineup and they turn to dross pretty quickly. The man is just a metronomic beast. Bayern are in the same boat I remember the 11/12 season when they were leading Dortmund by 9 points at Christmas only for Bastian to get injured for 6 weeks. By the time he got back they were irreparably behind. It's been much the same for Germany most of their worst performances have come in his absence, he's a different kind of player obviously from a Messi or a Neymar but I'd dare say he's just as important.
The Bear
Guest
Astute and insightful. Cheers! This WC has been a stunning case study in sports psychology. Germany did all the little things right. Add this to their individual class and they prevailed. What an open field it was by the Quarters, certainly an entertaining tournament.
Fadida
Guest
I certainly wasn't criticising his club performances
AZ_RBB
Guest
Should be noted that this is a huge improvement on Leon's previous article relating to Luis Suarez. Well done, mate.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I've been watching him play regularly for the past 6 seasons (less frequently prior to that) at United and think he is absolutely brilliant. His only drawback would be his desire to cover every blade of grass when he would be better off focusing on dominating a particular part of the field. Also, he can be fairly temperamental. His performances for England though leave a lot to be desired but the lackluster players around him don't help much.
Fadida
Guest
Amazing that any anyone could still think that Rooney is a "big player" who could influence an international tournament. Has another player ever flattered to deceive so much? Perhaps the non-fat Ronaldo has been as consistently underwhelming?
BES
Guest
Excellent article well put and should be sent to the worlds leading advertising agencies labelled MUST READ
The Minister
Guest
...and things didn't improve against Holland either. Not only was the Brazilian national team's soft underbelly exposed at this world cup. It was disemboweled. I hear they're looking at getting "the special one" Mourinho? So we can safely say that Jogo Bonito is dead. In all honesty it has been for a while. Glancing over the Brazil squad at this tournament and other recent call-ups on Wiki I'm surprised at their over-all lack of depth. People used to say Brazil could put 4 or 5 different teams on the pitch all capable of winning the world cup but that's certainly not the case anymore. Meanwhile Germany has a conveyer belt of young talent coming through. Maybe it's not the worst thing in the world for the people of Brazil to take their focus off the national team while it's going through this dark phase and address more pressing issues off the pitch because there are plenty.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Exactly what I thought as well. After they struggled against Chile and Colombia, I figured they only reason they were getting through was because of their passion, unity and home support and thought it might continue. Felt a little silly watching the game vs Germany haha
Andrew Kennard
Roar Pro
Fantastic article, completely captured my thoughts on the world cup, although I didn't realise it until it I read this. I, possibly with a naive optimism, thought Brazil would get up over Germany through the strength of national unity and common cause. I can't remember why I thought Brazil would pull it together and that Germany would fall apart... I'm sure I had a reason...
JohnD
Guest
Great article. I like "Obsessively cohesive". I lost count of the number of times in the wallopping of Brazil that a German player in an excellent scoring position centred a ball to another German player in an even better scoring position, then the scoring player making sure he acknowledged the contribution of the guy who passed it to him before basking in the adulation of the crowd. Awesome stuff.
yoyo
Guest
In Football everyone is replaceable. Take Messi away from Barcelona or take Ronaldo away from Real Madrid and those two teams will still be in the top 4 every year. Same with every player in every Football league. That's a good thing. I don't like player glorification. The only player I can remember who single-handedly brought a team to the top and kept it there was Maradona with Napoli. But I think in today's world that wouldn't be possible anymore. Just too much competition for a single player to make a huge difference.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Really really good stuff.