Taffarel, Romario any other champs simply said, “It’s Fantastic!”
Within the next few years , the preserved grass fromWorld Cup 1994 would ultimately be presented to Brazilian National Team coaches Carlos Alberto Parriera (Above left) , and Mario Zagallo as well as Romario, (Right) Bebeto, Zinho, Branco, Mauro Silva, Taffarel (left), and current members Flavio Conceicao, Roberto Carlos , and Ronaldo.
Aside from the champions of World Cup 1994, numerous other reknowned players and officials would receive the turf during the course of the next few years. It was during this developemental stage of “La Cancha” the magazine that we would conduct numerous interviews with these players focusing of course on the playing field. .The players gave us their unique insight and opinions as to to the significance of a “quality” prepared playing surface. We would learn how grass height affected speed of the ball, and the energy level of the player. Pele’s coach Eddie Firmani would remark however that it didn’t matter what type of surface Pele played on his performance would always be superb. But nonetheless, most World Cup level players insisted that the playing surface makes a difference most preferring a low cut dry playing surface. In exhange for their valuable insight we presented the players, coaches and officials with an actual piece of turf from World Cup 1994 encased in a clear acrylic block. The greatest player of all Pele would indicate that it was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.as well. Other World Cup players who have remarked on the turf’s beauty include Stefan Efenberg (Germany), Hristo Stoickov, (Bulgaria), Carlos Valderama (Columbia), Roberto Donadoni (Italy) Jorge Campos (Mexico), Tomas Brolin (Sweden) , Abedi Pele (Gana) at right, and George Weah (Liberia) above. Coaches Bora Mutinovic and Steve Sampson (U.S.A) would also marvel at the acrylic blocks as would former Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and current coach Mario “Lobo” Zagallo.
Even FIFA president Joao Havelange, FIFA Secretary General Joseph Sepp Blatter and other FIFA officials shown below would express their admiration.
Reporters from the major networks which covered the games were equality impressed with the the prints and acrylic blocks containing the turf from Brasil’s historic 4th World Cup victory. Whether speaking with the “golden voice of World Cup” Univision’s Andres Cantor here in the U.S., meeting with the TV and printed press in Brazil, or showing it to soccer fans at games, the reaction has always been the same. “Wow!“.
