The dramatic rise of the Brazilian real may have slowed a bit this year, but its increased strength (the current exchange rate is roughly two reals to one U.S. dollar, down from three or four to one a decade ago) provides Brazilian clubs with more spending power than they enjoyed in the past.
These increasingly professional and organized outfits have used their increased resources to bring foreign-based stars back to their homeland and retain promising talents far past the point when they would usually make their way to Europe.
Not so long ago, it would have seemed fanciful to suggest Clarence Seedorf would sign with Botafogo, Ganso would make a lucrative move within the country from Santos to São Paulo instead of selecting a foreign suitor or Leandro Damião or Neymar would postpone moves to top European sides to remain on home soil.
Some might argue players are motivated by the approaching World Cup, but Brazil’s new-found ability to acquire and retain that sort of talent has raised the standard of the league and provided an opportunity for wealthier clubs to build stronger squads.
Fluminense has taken advantage of its additional clout to create a deep squad capable of producing consistent results over the course of the campaign. Veteran manager Abel Braga (a Copa Libertadores winner with Internacional in 2006) had enough choices that the intermittent availability of former Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Deco (hampered by injuries) and ex-Real Betis striker Rafael Sóbis (in and out of favor) did not hinder the efforts.
Long-term planning isn't a strong suit in the Brazilian league, but this Fluminense side – like some of its counterparts – stands a better chance of keeping its integral figures than other successful outfits in recent years. Braga has distanced himself from a rumored return to Internacional, while many of the influential players (though perhaps not Chelsea target Wallace) should stick around to pursue the club's first triumph in the Copa Libertadores next year.
Ambition and stability usually do not mix in these sorts of circumstances. But in the emerging new order for the Brazilian championship, those principles – and the corresponding success of sides able to combine them with their increased financial might – may find themselves more and more applicable in future campaigns.
