“The style of play changed and it took away some of our creativity. Our football used to be very joyful. Now it has become more mechanical.”
On the synthetic pitch, he trains seven- to 10-year-olds who dream of following in the footsteps of Vinicius, the academy's most famous graduate.
The next generation still has football in their veins, but have “difficulties” in training, a problem da Silva attributes to their sedentary lifestyle and “addiction” to screens.
Brazil, population 203 million, has more cell phones than people. According to the World Obesity Atlas, more than a third of children aged five to 19 are overweight or obese.
Robson Zimmerman, talent scout for São Paulo club Corinthians, said emerging footballers today face difficult conditions, including the ability to play multiple positions and exceed family and media expectations.
“Earlier, he was just concerned about playing football,” he said.
But Leila Pereira, president of cross-town rivals Palmeiras, the current league champions, says Brazil will never stop being a country of football.
Brazilian teams have won the last five Copa Libertadores South American titles, with Palmeiras winning two.
The club is the birthplace of Andrique – whose sale to Real Madrid reportedly netted him $65 million with bonuses – as well as rising prospects Estevao and Luis Guilherme.
“I disagree with those who think (Brazil's players) have lost quality. Look at the big money they bring,” Pereira said.
