Watch your football boots boys!!!!

We are in a World Cup year and our eyes must remain open. At the Confederations Cup, I alerted the squad about the possibility of skidding in the pitch grass – what happened during the first minutes against Mexico. This drama happened again against the United States.

In addition of facing a superior opponent, the Japanese players passed the whole match falling because of inappropriate shoes. At the end of the game, I took the goalie’s shoes – the only which was appropriate and did not skid – and told the group to take a good look at them. I told them that the shoes for that match should have six brakes: two in the front, two in the middle and two in the back. I mentioned the match against Mexico and made clear that such thing cannot happen with a team which wishes to make a good World Cup.

I know that it is a technical subject and that many of you have never put a football shoe, but imagine skiing with a pair of snickers or playing tennis with high heels. Obviously, it wouldn’t work – the sports material is crucial for the athlete’s performance. And with today’s technology applied to football, it is not acceptable to have players skidding because of their shoes.

The foot are our support and when we are not using the appropriate material, we lose the balance and, without balance, it is impossible to play football. It impairs the speed, the kicking and even the self-confidence. I notice that sports material companies have a special concern with the visual appeal, and I want to believe that such focus on marketing does not harm the product itself. I have already talked with Adidas and I intend to talk with other manufacturers because I don’t want to lose a decisive match due to a problem like this. I don’t want to interfere in commercial interests, but it is an issue that all football professionals must face as crucial.

And with the technology that we have today, the athletes must have two, three or even four pairs of football shoes for different types of pitches. So, they can choose the most suitable one in the day before the match.