Couple Hendy Desilien

On the sidelines of Uruguay’s qualification for the semi-finals of the Copa America, Marcelo Bielsa, the Celeste coach, made surprising and critical remarks about the evolution of modern football. Renowned for his tactical knowledge and his unconditional love for the game, the Argentine coach expressed his concerns about the future of football, believing that it is in decline.

After Uruguay’s qualification against Brazil (0-0, 4-2 on penalties), Bielsa, visibly satisfied with the performance of his players, nevertheless chose to focus on the wider problems of football. During the press conference, he declared: “Football is in a process of decline”. According to him, despite the increase in the number of spectators, football is becoming less and less attractive because the elements that made this sport the most popular in the world are no longer privileged.

Bielsa mentioned the “football business”, where the notion of pleasure tends to disappear in favour of financial gain. He expressed his concern about the direction taken by the governing bodies, particularly with regard to video refereeing (VAR). For me, this is very damaging to football. This sport has a peculiarity: when it becomes completely predictable, it loses its appeal,” he said. He also predicted a future decline in audience interest if the quality of the game continues to deteriorate.

Bielsa stressed that football is much more than a few minutes of action. “It is a cultural expression, a form of identification,” he said, recalling that the true love for the sport lies in its essence and its impact on people. In his opinion, controversy and discussions around refereeing decisions and responsibilities harm the atmosphere needed to fully enjoy football.

Marcelo Bielsa concluded by expressing his concerns about the weakening of South American football and the exodus of local talent to Europe. His words, although pessimistic, encourage reflection on the essential aspects of football that must be protected and valued to preserve the essence of this sport loved by millions of people around the world.