In their 95-year history, the monarchy-loving Santos have had a king (Pelé), a prince (Robinho) and many, many jesters (thereâÂÂs plenty to choose from in this yearâÂÂs sloppy roster alone). All they lacked was a queen.
But no more.
Club president Marcelo Teixeira proudly announced last week that Marta, the three-time FIFA WomenâÂÂs Player of the Year and arguably the best lady ever to cuddle a football, will join the female squad of Santos in September.
True, itâÂÂs only going be for three months during the US WomenâÂÂs Professional Soccer League's off-season â where Marta stars for the Los Angeles Sol.
However, this stint, as short lived as it is, may have an impact that could change football forever.
Not because of the front-page bound picture of Pelé handing Marta, in her official presentation, the historical number 10 shirt of Santos, which sheâÂÂll don as the new leader of the Village Mermaids â the marvelous nickname of the clubâÂÂs women squad.
Neither because her arrival means sheâÂÂll grace and market the first ever female Copa Libertadores, which will be contested by the South AmericanâÂÂs top 10 teams in October in Brazil â a landmark and big push for the continentâÂÂs female football.
But what I am anticipating is something much bigger than that... a woman playing in men's professional football, in the Brazilian championship with the world famous Santos.
"Let me at 'em..."
A wild guess? A mad theory? Perhaps.
But we have never been so close to that happening, thanks to the unique presence of three main factors IâÂÂll present below. Combined, they can make what seemed unthinkable pure reality in a few months.
1.Marta. Of course, if we were talking about any other lady in the world, playing with men would be out of question. But sheâÂÂs damn good, better than many players on both the national â and international â scene.
Sometime ago, when Marta revealed she was a Corinthians fan, reporters asked the Corinthians players if they would welcome her on the team.
On the record, the usual âÂÂDonâÂÂt know, sheâÂÂs a woman, perhaps she canâÂÂt take the heatâ routine was repeated. Off the record, most of them said it would be a blessing, and that they would be thankful for being on her side and not the opponents'.
2.Vanderlei Luxemburgo. The manicured, spotlight-loving coach is once again calling the shots from the Santos hotseat â fired from Palmeiras late June, he returned to Vila Belmiro two weeks ago.
HeâÂÂs got a free pass from president Marcelo Teixeira, a friend more than a boss since the coach took Santos to the 2004 National Championship.
And my guess is that Luxa will jump on the opportunity to make football history. âÂÂWho was the first gaffer who had the balls to field a woman in a professional squad? Me, me, me,â heâÂÂll scream out loud.
3.The 2009 Santos roster. As I mentioned before, sloppy.
Aside from Neymar, Paulo Henrique Lima (the Goose) and the diminutive Madson, if you throw all the players in a juicer, youâÂÂll get half a glass of liquid talent.
Even striker Kleber Pereira, who finished as one of the countryâÂÂs top strikers last year, seems to have forgotten how to score.
If theyâÂÂre not good enough to fight for a Libertadores spot, theyâÂÂre neither bad enough to battle against relegation â there are some really awful lots here this season.
So mid-table obscurity welcomes Santos with open arms.
ThatâÂÂs where Marta comes in.
"Pardon me, coming through..."
Picture the scene at Santos in October/November. The championship heads into the home straight and the team is going nowhere.
Fans are bored to death with the squadâÂÂs dull performances. Attendances are going down. And the lady who filled a whole Maracanã stadium (in 2007) is practicing on the pitch next door?
You do the math.
Of course, a Marta calling will raise bedlam in male professional football, and several questions will pop up.
Do the rules allow it? As far as I know, thereâÂÂs no legal impediment. Can she perform as brilliantly against strong, brutal, male opposition? She has answered that more than once, saying: âÂÂIâÂÂve always played with the boys, shouldnâÂÂt be a problem.âÂÂ
For heavenâÂÂs sake, the girl has faced hunger â and rolled over it. Why would she fear a boneheaded defender?
If it happens come October, even I will become a monarchist.
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