The mix of political leaders in football, a toxic combination

Politicians do not miss any opportunity to show their influence, and sport is no exception. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's recent statements regarding the composition of Brazil's national soccer team illustrate a clear example of political interference in sports. Lula suggested that the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) only use players from the national championship, a recommendation that attracted attention in both sports and political circles. This intervention reflects a global problem, where politics and sport become intertwined, often with controversial results. President Lula expressed his displeasure that the stars of the Brazilian national team who play in European clubs are not sufficiently known to the Brazilian public. He argued that selecting players from the domestic league would provide more opportunities for young local talent, pointing out that Brazil has players of the "same quality" in its domestic leagues. He also mentioned that during a recent match, he had difficulty recognizing the Brazilian players, most of whom play for European clubs. This intervention brings up a wider topic: political influence on football decisions. Although Lula is known for his open support of sports, such suggestions from political leaders can generate heated debates. While his desire to promote local talent may seem justified, the long-term implications for the national team's performances are complex. Brazil, one of the most successful football teams in the world, has built a tradition based on exporting high-value players to the big European clubs. Limiting selections to players from the domestic championship could reduce the team's competitiveness on the international stage.

• A widespread problem

Brazil is not the only country where political leaders are trying to influence football. In many cases, sport has been used as a political tool to support certain national or even personal agendas. In Italy, for example, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi used AC Milan football club to promote his political image, building a strong link between sporting and political success. Berlusconi invested heavily in the team during its heyday, and the team's success on the field strengthened its popularity among the electorate. Also in Russia, football has been used by President Vladimir Putin as a means of strengthening the country's international prestige. The hosting of the 2018 World Cup was seen as a great achievement, and the success of this event contributed to the image of a strong and influential Russia on the world stage, despite economic sanctions and international criticism.

• Implications for national teams

The case of Brazil highlights how political interventions can have direct effects on the performance of national teams. In many countries, politicians suggest or even impose certain decisions on selectors in the hope of gaining political capital. However, in most cases, these interventions do not take into account the complexity of modern sports, where performance is determined by a number of factors, including individual talent, physical and psychological preparation, but also the players' experience in strong foreign championships. The promotion of local players can be seen as a patriotic solution, the effectiveness of such a measure is debatable in the context of the globalization of sports.