I just found it odd that you included Africa in this. Jamaica is a country with less than 3 million people. Brazil has over 200 million people. Plus Brazils top athletes are running track not playing soccer.
Vernon Gholston was also going up against people close to as talented as him in the NFL. His pure talent had him dominate in college which is what would happen if a true elite athlete was flopping around on a soccer field. When you have guys who are that much faster, coordinated, etc. than these soccer guys. Talent would go a long way. Or are you trying to say talent means nothing in soccer and its all hard work?