Despite Criticism, Brazilian Football Players Command High Market Value

07/02/2015 - 09h07

Following the infamous 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany in last year's World Cup, along with the recent elimination from the Copa América by Paraguay, the Brazilian football "seleção" has become an object of derision and ridicule among fans.

On social networks, many even go as far as to assert that the current generation of players is the worst the country has ever seen.

However, when one looks at the transfer market, it would appear that foreign clubs have a different opinion. Despite an ongoing international economic crisis, European clubs have spent tens of millions of dollars for the services of Brazilian internationals.

On Wednesday (1), Bayern Munich announced the purchase of the midfielder Douglas Costa from the Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk for €30 million (USD$33 million).

At just 24, Costa is the German club's third most expensive player ever, and he joins world-class names such as the Frenchman Franck Ribéry, the Dutchman Arjen Robben and the German Thomas Müller.

In the "seleção", Costa was a substitute during the Copa América and missed one of the penalties in the shootout against Paraguay.

The center back Miranda, who inherited the captain's armband from Neymar after the Barcelona star's suspension from the tournament, moved from Atlético Madrid to Inter Milan for €15 million (USD$16.6 million), a relatively high price to pay given the player's age.

Likewise, the attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino has recently become Liverpool's third most expensive player, following his €41 million (USD$45.4 million) transfer from the German club Hoffenheim. Firmino is a relative unknown in Brazil, and only established himself in the starting eleven of the "seleção" during the Copa América.

Another example is the veteran striker Robinho. Despite his 31 years of age, the fact that he is only a substitute in the "seleção" and the consensus that he did not fulfill his potential during his time in Europe, the player is currently being courted by clubs such as Querétaro in Mexico and Guangzhou Evergrande in China, now managed by former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Guangzhou have offered Robinho a three-year contract worth a whopping €12 million a year (USD$13.3 million). According to sources close to the player, he is likely to make the move to China, where he will work with Scolari at club level for the first time.

In March this year, the right-back Danilo, who missed the Copa América through injury, moved from Porto to Real Madrid for €31.5 million (USD$34.9 million), the fourth most expensive transfer ever of a defender.

Altogether, these transfers are worth more than half a billion reais (USD$158 million), an astonishing sum considering how discredited this group of players has become in Brazil.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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