Marcelo Bielsa: "My enthusiasm is maximum"

Marcelo Bielsa, the head coach of Uruguay's national football team, declared his "maximum" enthusiasm for participating in another World Cup. He conveyed that if he were a spectator, he would be thrilled to experience the global tournament.

“

My enthusiasm for attending another World Cup is maximum.

Bielsa acknowledged hearing sentiments suggesting a lack of public excitement for the World Cup, both in Uruguay and Argentina. However, he expressed skepticism about this notion, finding it hard to believe that fans in such football-passionate nations would not share enthusiasm, anticipation, and pleasure for the event. "I feel all three things, but – of course – with the weight of responsibility of assuming what people's enthusiasm means," he added.

“

I hear a lot that there is no enthusiasm for the World Cup. I hear it here and I hear it in Argentina.

The Argentine coach highlighted the significant role of a national team coach, stating that their team's performance directly impacts the happiness of the populace. He particularly noted that for those with fewer material possessions, football often serves as a vital source of joy that doesn't require financial expenditure. "Those who have less want football to make them happy," Bielsa stated.

“

I doubt that they do not see the World Cup with enthusiasm, with expectation and with pleasure. I feel all three things, but – of course – with the weight of responsibility of assuming what people's enthusiasm means.

Reflecting on his career, Bielsa affirmed his willingness to trade all his past achievements for a World Cup victory. "If everything I have won in the years I've been here – and I swear I would – is asked of me in exchange for finishing in the top four or winning the World Cup, who wouldn't pay it?" he questioned, underscoring the ultimate prize in international football. Bielsa previously coached Argentina in the 2002 World Cup and Chile in the 2010 World Cup.

“

The role of a national team coach is to be at the head of a team that conditions the happiness of a people.