On the eve of Santos? arrival to the Island for a three-match tour, Mexican resident Eduardo Fox has urged Bermudians to embrace the charismatic yet effective style of Latin American football.

Fox, a goalkeeper and defender with Commercial side BAA in the mid-1970s and early ?80s, has been a devoted fan of the recently crowned Brazilian champions since the days when legendary striker Pele played for the club.

The 51-year-old corporate commercial manager watched from the stands at the Azteca Stadium in his native Mexico in 1970 as Pele led Brazil to World Cup glory.

And he believes the samba game could help elevate local football to greater heights.

?When I came to Bermuda over 30 years ago the first thing to strike me was that players were trying to play like Europeans and so they were caught in limbo between the Latin and European styles of play,? recalled Fox.

?But let?s face reality . . . in terms of distance we are closer to the Americas while Bermudian players tend to prefer the more innovative and individualistic style of football which can actually be adapted better to the Latin American way of playing.

?The fact that Bermudian players are influenced from watching European football on TV has perhaps had an effect on them or on their coaches who try to make them play that way. And I don?t think that has helped Bermuda football to progress.?

Exposure against more Latin opposition could have its advantages, suggested Fox.

?I think we should be playing against more South American teams and not just against Canada, USA and Central American teams,? he continued. ?There are teams in Brazil and Argentina who might not be the Santos of this world but can still bring a lot to the table.

?Bermuda doesn?t normally play against South American teams . . . the closest they get is playing against Central American teams and they are simply not the best in Latin America. If we are to progress then we have to play against better teams, otherwise we will remain stagnant. I know it?s difficult to bring a bunch of teams in from South America. It takes time and a lot of effort and really I don?t know how Clyde Best is doing this (organising Santos tour) ? he?s certainly pulled a big one out of the hat and has some great contacts.

?Santos are the most recent champions of Brazil. They are not a ?has been? team.?

Fox said that teams such as Santos had become major providers of players for the bigger clubs in Europe.

He also noted how Brazilian footballers were considered national treasures.

Rising star Robinho ? who is not accompanying Santos to Bermuda ? has already been sought by the likes of Chelsea, Benfica and more recently Real Madrid. However, the star striker refused to sign after his mother was kidnapped for 40 days before finally being released last year.

Santos have clinched the Brazilian championship for the past two years.

?I have been following Santos since the 1960s. I once saw them play in Mexico when I was there many years ago?, said Fox.

?At that time they were more of a travelling team ? they used to spend a lot of time in Europe and also toured throughout Mexico and Latin America. I think they will be the best team that Bermuda has ever seen.

?These games should receive a lot of support from the community and hopefully everybody will come out. It?s absolutely marvellous watching those guys play football ? they train with samba music.?

The Brazilians are due to arrive in Bermuda this afternoon when, according to Fox, some 100 locally-based Brazilians will be present to welcome them.

Santos open their tour against the national team on Sunday at the National Sports Centre before taking on Premier Division Dandy Town next Tuesday and a Select XI next Thursday at Somerset Cricket Club.