Five-time winners of the World Cup Brazil is the most successful team in the competition’s history, but the Selecao hasn’t won the prized trophy since 2002.
In 2006, 2010, and 2018, there were quarterfinal exits, while in 2014, after a forgettable campaign, they had to settle for fourth place.
Neymar, Vinicius Junior, and other players must now end the Selecao’s trophy drought and bring home the trophy once more.
But before they face tougher obstacles in the final rounds, they must first get past Cameroon, Switzerland, and Serbia.
Since at least 2010, when illustrious players steeped in Joga Bonito like Ronaldinho and Ronaldo were nearing the end of their professional careers, Brazil has not been the mystical supplier of that illusive thing known as Joga Bonito that it once was.
The most successful clubs, like Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, have adopted and improved upon the fiercely attacking style of play that was once Brazil’s strong suit. Brazil has now gone 20 years without winning a World Cup. And for the past 15 years, two non-Brazilian players—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo—have been accustomed to providing the football world with its daily dose of impressive individual abilities.
When coach Tite’s team takes the field in Qatar, all of that might change. Simply put, this is the most offensive Brazilian team in a long time. They have so many options in the final third of the field that Tite (Adenor Leonardo Bacchi) could afford to leave a forward of Roberto Firmino’s calibre off the roster. However, that choice could still prove costly because Firmino is the only notable Brazilian player who prefers to play as a “false 9” forward who likes to play through the middle, and Neymar is prone to receiving yellow cards.
Tite’s attacking line-up is so strong that it does not depend on a single person—not even the most archetypal Brazilian flair player like Neymar—to make a difference. Instead, this pack has the ability to attack the opposition in waves. Neymar can simply flick the ball towards Vinicius Jr., who has emerged over the past year as the most dangerous mix of pace and precision that a renowned club like Real Madrid could wish for, if defenders are busy attempting to crowd out Neymar. The 21-year-old emerging phenom Rodrygo may also appear to Neymar’s right at the perfect moment to sneak in a goal that could decide the outcome of the game.
What about the rest of the team? Is there enough there to support this kind of attacking thrust? Or will they fall apart on the counter?
Here Casemiro enters the picture. Long regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, he played a significant role in Real Madrid’s recent La Liga and Champions League winning streaks. He has mastered the challenge of playing for a struggling Manchester United, immediately improving the team’s ability to stay in the game and keep things moving. The alliance between Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta of West Ham will be essential since it will serve as the base from which the attacks are launched.
The defense is solid too. Thiago Silva never ceases to astound with his clean, organised play and his unwavering level of fitness, regardless of his age. Brazil also benefited from Eder Militao’s development into a strong central defence at the opportune time, since Militao was selected first by Real Madrid. Militao has done excellently to claim Sergio Ramos’ position despite being given the unpleasant task of doing so.
This brings us to the goalkeeper, Allison, who, if Brazil has a player who can confidently claim to be the best in the world in his position on the team, it is. Under the netting, the beard-sporting Liverpool keeper is just a giant; he is a master in every facet of goalkeeping.
Brazil’s incredible qualification campaign for Qatar, in which they won 10 games, drew three, lost none, scored freely with 30 goals, and defended with guts to allow just five goals, demonstrated their ability to bring it all together into a complete piece of music.