My First World Cup

I went to the Brazil-Morocco World Cup match on Saturday with our Unilever clients. As a soccer novice, I had no idea what to expect. Here are a few observations:

1. The Brazilian Fans Are Passionate—The most colorful outfits, the singing and dancing in the stands, the bird chirps when the team goes on offense, the colorful epithets on a missed try on goal…Brazil has it all.
2. Player of the Day—Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior whose speed and athleticism allowed him to score on a sharp angle shot from the left side. He was a constant menace to the Moroccan defense.
3. Second Player of the Day— Achraf Hakimi of Morocco whose stellar defense and near full field runs were a lesson in anticipation and fitness.
4. Pre-Game Ceremony—A fantastic example of sports healing the world, with two giant flags covering much of the field, the national anthem of each country, the little kids walked onto the field by the players.
5. Fan Experiences—Doritos, Casamigos, Michelob Ultra, Dove and Coca-Cola had fan experiences, from food and beverage to outdoor showers to interactive games including a soccer challenge where participants attempted to head balls suspended above the ground (I was just able to graze one at 2.6 meters high with the top of my head).
6. Creators—We were seated with a group of creators from the Middle East. One young guy from Egypt told me that he has 6 million followers. He started an Olé, Olé, Olé chant, he supported Brazil in return for my wife Claudia’s pledge to support Egypt and was a constant delight for three hours.
7. Contrasting Styles—Morocco’s disciplined passing and defense stood in sharp relief to the ingenuity and panache of the individual Brazilian players. The system versus the entrepreneur, with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw.
8. The MetLife Stadium Staff—They were approachable and kind. They offered directions, were willing to take photos and made me proud that Americans could be such great hosts.

I feel privileged to have been part of the event. Thank you, Unilever, for allowing Claudia and me to be part of this tournament.

Richard Edelman is CEO.