Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa has said that the commercial side of football will cause it to become less attractive in the coming years.
Uruguay face Brazil in a crucial quarter-final clash in the Copa America on Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Under Bielsa, Uruguay have been playing some of the best football in the tournament, winning all of their group stage matches to top Group C.
But, the former Leeds United manager is concerned that the type of football his team’s play is becoming much more rare for one specific reason.
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He fears that, as football becomes more commercialised and money begins to rule the sport, less attractive football will be deployed.
Speaking in a CONMEBOL press conference, Bielsa said: “Football has more and more spectators but is becoming less and less attractive.
“What made this game the best game in the world at the time, is not prioritised today.
“If you don’t ensure that what people watch is something pleasant, it will only benefit the business. Because the business only cares about how many people watch it.”
Bielsa further explained his worries, saying that as football becomes easier to access via online clips and highlights, it is losing its true identity.
He added: “Football is not just the five minutes of highlights. Football is much more than that, it is a cultural expression, it is a way of identification.”
With the likes of Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellestri, Uruguay have been electric at the 2024 Copa America.
In their last match, they brushed past hosts USA with a 1-0 win that booked their place in the quarter-finals.
But this weekend’s fixture will their hardest challenge yet, as they face tournament second favourites Brazil.
Brazil have struggled so far at the Copa America, as they drew two of their group stage matches to finish second behind Colombia.
However, with some of the past players in the world, including Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, besting the Brazilian national team will be a tough task for Bielsa and his team.
Uruguay v Brazil kicks off at 2am BST on Sunday morning.
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Topics: Uruguay, Copa America, Marcelo Bielsa, Brazil, Darwin Nunez, Football, Leeds United
Ben McCrum