VIENNA -- It's optimistic to label Andrei Arshavin as potentially
another Pele.
But consider this: The Russian soccer star's goals and imaginative play
have helped underdog Russia reach the semi-final of the 2008 European
championship even though he missed the first two games.
Fifty years ago this month, a certain 17-year-old Brazilian went to the
1958 World Cup and didn't play the first two matches either. Then Pele
launched his international career in the next game against the Soviet
Union and went on to score six goals, including two in the final, on the
way to Brazil's first of five World Cup triumphs.
Pele was carried off the field, tears rolling down his face, and thus
began one of the greatest careers in all of sports.
Arshavin is another of those players who is overcome with emotion, even
in victory. The Russian burst into tears after his team beat the Netherlands
on Saturday, and again broke down at a postgame interview.
Like Pele, he wears No. 10 and plays up alongside or just behind the main
striker. And like Pele's immediate impact for Brazil in 1958 - hitting
the post in the second minute of his World Cup debut against the Soviet
Union - the Russian has made such a mark in only two games he's already
being touted as Euro 2008's man of the championship.
Arshavin scored during Russia's 2-0 victory over Sweden, which guaranteed
a place in the knockout round after the team began its campaign without
him by tumbling 4-1 to Spain.
He also netted the third goal in a 3-1 extra-time victory over the hugely
favoured Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
He has Pele's ability to do the unexpected. Like the Brazilian great,
he is both a scorer and a provider.
Although he is 10 years older than Pele was for his famous World Cup debut,
Arshavin is also playing in his first major championship. Only time will
tell whether he goes on to become one of the game's greats, but his performances
so far will almost certainly guarantee an interest from the wealthy soccer
clubs in England, Italy, Spain and Germany.
