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The media and the commercial sector are always looking for a sensational star, especially during particular tournaments when the world's attention is focussed on the teams and top performers of the competition.
One has not to be too clever to predict that the Brazilian wizard, better known as Kaka, whose current form for the Italian club AC Milan, makes him as potential challenger for the platonic title of ‘player of the tournament’ is in the running for the ensuing title of the ‘European Football of the year (2006)’ and the ensuing recognition by FIFA.
This prediction is made on the proviso that Brazil earn their ticket to the finals as they have to play the qualifiers, despite the fact that they are the current holders of the prestigious FIFA World Cup having won the honour in the Japan/South Korea edition of two years ago. This is the first time that the reigning champions are not automatically entered in the next competition, but as Brazil's tradition is that of being ever-present amongst the finalists and considering the team’s potential, it seems a safe bet that Brazil and Kaka will be in Germany during the 2006 edition.
Kaka has already made a great impact with his brilliant top class performances and many consider him one of the world's best.
Barring injuries and other foreseen circumstances, Kaka will be making addition headlines in two years time. He could mature in even a better player.
One thing is certain. Kaka will not be alone when the final selection is made. Others will be noted and parochialism will also play its part. Two years ahead and the publicity machine is already in full gear.
Like Mozart
In certain circles, the name of Freddy Adu is being mentioned as another sensation to take up the mantle of the immortal Pele – real name Edson Arantes do Nascimento - whose debut in the 1958 world cup edition staged in Sweden shook the football world. He went on to entertain millions and carved his name in gold in the annals of the game. Pele, who was voted ‘player of the century,’ and regarded as the world’s best football Ambassador, is of the opinion that Freddy Adu promises to take his mantle! He even compared him to Mozart.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but Pele's prediction could be a bit far fetched despite the hype and confetti showered on Adu, when he made his debut as the fans chanted his name.
Born to be Peles
Who is Freddie Adu? Is he genuinely an heir to Pele?
Fredua Koranteng Adu was born in Ghana in 1989. When he was eight, his mother Emilia won an immigrant visa in the US Green Card Lottery and together with her two sons settled in suburban Washington. Last year Adu became an American citizen and on April 3, he made his debut in major league soccer when he came in as a substitute in the 61 minute as his team Washington DC United were winning 2-1 against the reigning Champions San Jose Earthquakes. At the final whistle the score remained unchanged and Adu, a millionaire teenager before kicking a ball in earnest, became the youngest professional player in modern American team sports history in more than 100 years.
The match, played in Washington DC's Robert F Kennedy Memorial stadium attracted a full house of 24,603 fans. They cheered when the baby-face, tan-anointed teenager entered the field as a sub. The match was televised on ABC. This fact and the full house are both rarities for professional football in the States. In fact the average gate last season was just above 14,000. But ‘Freddymania’ has already hit the States. Adu at $500,000 a year plus bonuses, is the highest paid player in the league. That's on top of his one million dollar contract with Nike and other blue-riband endorsements. The average wage for an MLS is just $77,000 a season.
He recently filmed a commercial for Pepsi with Pele who offered advice to the prodigy expected to fill his 24-carat boots.
And don't forget, this boy Freddy is only 14 years ten months old!! There were critics who had questioned Adu's age, but US officials accepted his birth date as June 02,1989, (incidentally I was also born on June the second, but that's where the similarity ends with Adu and the rest of big celebrities who saw the light of day on the same date). The 5’8” 140- pounds ball artist isn’t shaving yet but just about every institution in American publishing and broadcasting, has featured this hottest ‘phenomenon’ around. There is no doubt that Freddy Adu is highly gifted. He became a super soccer prodigy in the early 2000s. In March last year he played his first international match for the U/17 US team, making him the youngest national player ever. Bruce Arena, boss of the US team said “This may be our first super star.” He had already raised a few eyebrows since he first entered a football pitch at the tender age of ten. Dave Hudson, a former DC coach sums up the awe he inspires when he said “A blind man on a galloping horse can see his talent - he's a little Fabergè egg. A God given talent."
Adu, a smart and polite boy with a winning smile was always keen to meet Pele.
After the Pepsi slot he said that “Pele told me just to keep my head and play because a lot of people are going to demand a lot out of my time and want a piece of me.” As yet he is not fazed. He still lives with his strong-willed mother, Emilia, and brother Fro (who plays for the US U/14 team) in suburban Maryland: Protomac Md. to be exact.
When his US citizenship came through he pledged his international future to them instead of to his country of birth.
Freddy Adu would have found it difficult to perform as he is, had he been playing for a European club side where the game is totally different to that played in the States, but he has always impressed in international matches against any opposition, European, Asian, African or South American. That proves a lot. Inter, Manchester United and others have already knocked on his mother’s door but she will not listen at the moment. In fact the story goes that Inter had offered $750,000 four years ago, which were refused! Richard Motzkin, his agent knows that he has a rare and priceless diamond on his hand.
He gave his reasons, why the soccer icon had signed a six year contract with the Major League Soccer and not given in to attractive offers from European clubs. “Adu plays first team professional soccer as a minor in the US, a practice forbidden in Europe to non-EU members, by FIFA.”
That could be so. The present goldmine is vital to the game in the States, as clearly stated by Nike’s creator and owner Phil Knight, who stated that “Adu has the potential gift for football's future among the American people.”
MLS lost $100 million in eight years. Freddy Adu could give it the sorely needed oxygen.
So far it has been like a dream for the poor boy who used to play barefoot on the rough streets of impoverished Tema. A lucky win gave his family a chance for a better future and he starts kicking a ball as no one of his age did. A millionaire at 13, driven in limousines and appearing on TV chat shows as a celebrity. Loved by all and a role model for kids. What a dream. Typical of US commentators....you ain’t seen nothing yet.
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