Botafogo

Most leagues have an all-encompassing star attraction, a character seen by fans as a representative of the competition as a whole, not only of one club.

For Spain read Lionel Messi; England, Robin van Persie; in Germany, Thomas Mueller. In Brazil, prior to his summer switch, the name was obvious: Neymar.

But since his highly publicised and drawn-out transfer to Barcelona, the burden has fallen onto the shoulders of 37-year-old Clarence Seedorf. Often seen as a factory line of outgoing talent, the arrival of one of the most successful players in European history has boosted Brazil's domestic game immeasurably.

The former Dutch international may be at the end of his career, but it remains a major coup not only for his club, Botafogo, but for the Brazilian championship as a whole.

Seedorf did it all in Europe. The only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs, Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan, he pulled on the shirt of other European giants, including playing for Milan's city rivals, Internazionale.

Most players would be hanging up their boots, giving themselves an admitted well-deserved pat on the back for a glittering 20-year career, but Seedorf has instead decided to embrace a new challenge. And the dynamism with which he has conducted himself this season shows his hunger for the game is as evident as ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y3ftGWOIwc

The Brazilian season runs from the end of January to mid-December. Seedorf arrived in July 2012 with the season already over halfway through.

This year was his first full season as a Botafogo player, and he has made an awesome impact. He helped the club to the Campeonato Carioca, the Rio de Janeiro state championship, in May.

With six rounds remaining in the Campeonato Brasileiro, the club sit fourth in the national table, the final qualifying spot for the Copa Libertadores, which is the South American answer to the Champions League.

For much of the season Botafogo were going toe-to-toe with leaders Cruzeiro. A dip in form over the last seven weeks has left the Minas Gerais club as almost certain champions. But Seedorf has been the focal point of the Rio club's highs this year.

Botafogo is a young team. Teenage centre-back Doria is one of the most sought-after names in football, and the team also counts on midfielder Gabriel and attacker Hyuri who are in their first full season as professionals.

All have admitted in interviews that they look to Seedorf for advice and leadership at the club.

Because above all Seedorf is a team player, just one more in the group. Alongside goalkeeper Jefferson and central defender Bolivar he is one of the experienced heads of a promising squad, offering guidance and advice in the team's bid for a first national title since 1995, a feat that will go unrewarded for another year at least.

Clarence Seedorf is an observer, a perfectionist and above all a creator for others. But he is also a listener and took on board his new manager's advice, which has benefited the team enormously this term in his tactical switch.

During his last few years at Milan his position in the team had become increasingly withdrawn, to the point where he was playing as a deep-lying playmaker. Botafogo coach Oswaldo de Oliveira has changed that.

In Brazil he plays almost as a second striker, starting on the left-hand side and cutting in either to pass or shoot. His ease on the ball and range of passing has made him a valuable asset in the attacking third, chipping in with six goals and 15 assists during the league campaign.

The club suffered elimination from the Copa do Brasil in the quarter-finals at the hands of local rivals Flamengo. League form has dipped to the point where a once realistic title challenge has petered out and the club are desperately clinging onto Libertadores qualification.

But should they finish in the top four, they have the perfect protagonist to launch an audacious bid for continental conquests next year. One more string to stick in the evergreen Clarence Seedorf's illustrious bow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_mPXBQohK8

Behold the hot new career path in Brazil:

Ball girl.

The ball girl in question is one Fernanda Maia and thanks to her heads-up ball girl-ing skills, Maia is quickly becoming a national celebrity in Brazil.

Let's rewind.

Over the weekend, Maia was doing her thing along the sidelines of a match between Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Vasco da Gama. Botafogo held a 2-0 lead early in the second half when Maia lent a helping hand to the team's third goal.

Watch the video above. As Botafogo attack quickly, a Vasco defender plays the ball out of bounds to buy some time.

But Maia is on full alert, and her quick toss to Sebastian Abreu contributes directly to Maicosuel's goal seconds later.

Maia soon became a hit with the press for her "assist." And, well, she's also not bad-looking at all.

101 Great Goals writes:

Fernanda Maia has been credited with the “assist” for Maicosuel’s goal and has been featured by a number of publications since the match on Sunday.

Of course, it helps that Maia is easy on the eye but she has downplayed her part in the third Botafogo goal.

Maia: “I didn’t score the goal. Maicosuel did. He is quick and smart. I did what I always did.”

Since not just Botafogo play at Rio’s Olympic Stadium, the press in Brazil have been desperate to find out who Maia supports but she has refused to divulge.

And this could be just the beginning of Maia’s fame as she also announced “I want to be the ball boy at the World Cup final. Perhaps it can happen!”

These days, a quick Google search of Fernanda Maia reveals how popular she has become, especially in the realm of scantily clad photography.

And, hey, good for her. She's right, you know. Anything can happen when you chase your dream of becoming an internationally famous ball girl.

(h/t 101GG)

Follow @MikeCummings37