While most of the points are vlid generally, we have seen a WC where unfit players participate, something unheard of in the day of Pele. Who by the way did not participate in the 74 WC because he was not up to doing the work required to get fit ... which id fair. Football is an outdoor game and the weather conditions have been similar over the past 17 Worl Cups ... why is it an excuse for players not performing? In past cups Individual talent has been exceptional, especially in free kicks etc ... today we have players such as Ballck, Lampard, Ronaldinho, Henry, to name a few having to effect on big games ... unheard of during the times of Maradona, Garrincha, Falcao. Pele came on the scene at 17, why did we not see Leo Messi and others have a bigger influence?