VIDEO: Costa Rica inspired by arena Pele made famous
The Costa Rican players take the scene in as they get off the coach before ambling into the arena that Neymar and Pele made famous.
Once inside they take it in turns to have their photo taken next to Pele’s old locker, a locker nobody else can use now and which has remained shut since perhaps the greatest player of all time put a mystery object inside before shutting it after his final game for the club back in 1974.
Then it is outside for the first of two training sessions, at 9.30am and 3.30pm. Jorge Luis Pinto works his men hard but, boy, has it been worth it.
Welcome to the world of Costa Rica, a team and a country blinking as they emerge into the spotlight. There were a handful of reporters and cameramen when they first arrived in Brazil, but the press conference room in this surprisingly small stadium has been full to overflowing this week.
The Santos security guards seem nonplussed. When they agreed to allow Costa Rica use their stadium they hardly expected them to be here more than a couple of weeks.
But they have been the surprise of the tournament, the story of the World Cup to date. Victory over England today would secure a perfect record in the ‘Group of Death’, with Uruguay and Italy already vanquished.
The national motto is Pura Vida — enjoy life — and it has been followed to the letter in this southern outpost 90 minutes south of Sao Paulo.
“We have equalled the best result in our history and now we want to be immortal,” smiles midfielder Celso Borges.
“We want to keep on breaking myths and making history. All the emotions we have had after these games are really nice. Even the people who are made of stone have been crying.”
But how on earth has a nation of just under 4.6m people done this? The answer, to begin with, is hard work. Pinto has a degree in physical education gained in Germany in the 1970s and double sessions have been the order of the day from two weeks before the tournament. It is no surprise Costa Rica finished strongly in their first two games.
It was also in Germany that Pinto learned his football philosophy, one which is resolutely and unapologetically defensive. Five defenders are covered by two midfielders, with solidity the key. In front Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz are given freedom to open teams up.
Former Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope is tasked with training the attackers, and nothing is done in half-measures.
All this is done in the genteel surroundings of Santos, where images of Pele are everywhere. It might not have mattered to players from nations that are considered first world in footballing terms, but the Costa Ricans genuinely seem to have taken inspiration from it.
“It is so beautiful for us to have this experience,” says Christian Bolanos. “Sometimes before training I just go in there on my own and touch the locker. I have no idea what is inside it, you’ll have to ask Pele for that. But it’s beautiful.”
Team-mate Jose Miguel Cubera agrees: “To have the image of Pele in the dressing room helps us so much. Everyone knows how great he was.”
Costa Rica’s national symbol is Campbell. The 21-year-old will return to Arsenal this season after three years on loan, and he is the talisman.
“He is doing very well, a great talent,” says Wanchope. “He is really looking forward to going back to Arsenal to impress Arsene Wenger, do pre-season and try to stay in the team.”
But there are bigger fish to fry before then. A likely last 16 tie with Ivory Coast or Japan would not be insurmountable.
The only negative has been the row over Fifa’s decision to put seven Costa Ricans through doping control after the win over Italy. The explanation was that five of them were unable to undergo mandatory pre-tournament assessments, but the ‘Ticos’, as they are known, were furious.
Still, it is a minor issue in the grand scheme. First, they can heap more pain on England.
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