Vulture

🚨🎙️ Thierry Henry on Brazil getting eliminated by Norway in the World Cup Round of 16 “You know, there was this young Japanese lad, Shiogai, before they played Brazil. He said something like, ‘Brazil used to be strong… but what about now? I haven’t heard much about them lately.’ And everyone lost their minds. ‘Disrespectful!’ ‘Show some respect for the five-time champions!’ Cunha even went over and told the Japanese players they needed to respect the shirt. No one really listened to what he was actually saying. Well… look at tonight. Norway just sent Brazil home in the round of 16. Haaland scores twice, Nyland makes the save of the match on the penalty, and Brazil are out. The same Brazil that was supposed to be marching toward another title. For me, that kid wasn’t being disrespectful — he was just observing what a lot of people inside the game already knew but didn’t want to say out loud. The gap has closed. The aura is still there, the talent is still there… but the team, the collective, the hunger that used to terrify everyone? It’s not the same. And tonight the football world saw it. Football is ruthless like that. One day you’re untouchable, the next a well-organized side with a proper plan and a clinical No. 9 exposes everything. Respect to Norway — they earned it. But for Brazil… that Japanese boy’s words just got a lot louder.“