The only team to win a World Cup without ever being truly tested were Brazil in 2002. Their superiority dawned on a leading European club manager months after the final. He was trying to sign Brazil’s keeper Marcos. The player did physical tests, with disappointing results. Never mind, thought the manager, the guy’s a world champion. So he offered Marcos a contract. The next morning, the manager was awoken at home by a call from Marcos’ agent. “I’m sorry,” said the agent, “Marcos won’t sign for you.”
唯一没有经过真正考验就赢得世界杯的球队是2002年的巴西队。他们的优势,在决赛后的几个月里才被一位领先的欧洲俱乐部教练意识到。他正试图签下巴西队的守门员马科斯(Marcos)。这位球员做了身体测试,结果令人失望。这位教练想,不要紧,这家伙是个世界冠军。所以他给马科斯提供了一份合同。第二天早上,教练在家里被马科斯的经纪人的电话吵醒。“我很抱歉,”经纪人说,“马科斯不会和你签约。”