As a young boy growing up in Trinidad, it was easy to fall onto the Brazil bandwagon. Everybody in my early days loved and wanted to be Zico, and worse yet for me, I went to Fatima College and we wore yellow on the football field. Everybody I knew in school loved Samba and Brazeeel! 1974, 1978 and 1982 were disappointing World Cups for me as my beloved Brazil did very little to live up to their reputation.
To the astonishment of my friends and family I dropped Brazil an 1986 and threw my full support behind Michel Platini and France. They were exciting and full of flair, and I have been a supporter of Le Bleu ever since.1998 was an amazing World Cup for me as we beat my former team Brazil 3�0 in the final. Although Brazil won the World Cups in 1994 and 2002, I felt little regret. To me Zidane was the greatest since Maradona. I was mesmerised by Maradona but could never back Argentina as they wore CIC colours.
What happened in the World Cup semifinal against Germany was further justification of my decision 28 years ago. Tuesday's result goes beyond embarrassing for Brazilian football, it truly marks the death of Samba as we know it.I feel for Pele, Ronaldo and even the memory of Socrates. What happened in Belo Horizonte Tuesday erodes and tarnishes the legendary status with which Brazilian football is held. In my memory that is the most humiliating defeat in sport that I have ever witnessed.
I thank God everyday in life, but he really guided me in 1986 when I let go of Brazil. He knew in years to come I could not take the pressure of supporting two humiliating teams.Go Windies.
Dr Nigel Camacho
Maraval