World Cup 2022 Preview - Brazil
The “Pentacampoes” are primed for a run to the title but can they get past the QF?
The 5 times World Cup Champions, the “Pentacampoes” are the soul of soccer. The yellow shirts and blue shorts are iconic and the names of “Pele” of “Socrates” of “Ronaldinho” and “Ronaldo” are legendary and their images instantly recognizable around the world. Brazil is the first country anyone thinks of when it is time to pick a winner for the World Cup. So why are they ranked number 5 in this list of contenders?
Short answer is Neymar. As long as he is the face of the program and the central point of the attack then Brazil will stumble in big tournaments. At club level he continues to underperform, despite being surrounded by Lionel Messi and Kylian MBappe at PSG, and is a symbol of that organization’s inability to win the Champions League despite bossing things domestically. He is ultimately a deeply flawed and injury prone player, despite his tremendous ability on the ball, and is a distraction off the field with his lifestyle that draws frenzied media attention.
The good news for Brazil fans is that he is becoming less important to the national team since the emergence of young talents like Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, both of whom have reignited the Real Madrid forward line. Neymar may even start on the bench as Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus, two Premier League stars in fine form, challenge him for a striker’s spot upfront, along with U23 top scorer Matheus Cunha. Having a luxury item like Neymar off the bench when a goal is needed may be the best scenario for the “Selecao” but will manager Tite make that call and stir up controversy.
The draw for the World Cup 2022 has not been kind to Brazil, placing them with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon, three difficult opponents. Serbia and Switzerland have improved dramatically since they were drawn with Brazil four years ago and Cameroon have shown to be a tough team to break down. Serbia in particular may be a tough opener, with Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic emerging as one of the best young players in the game and Switzerland are a rising force in World Soccer who drew Brazil four years ago and will want to do one better.
The Starting XI - formation in a 4-3-3 which may switch to a 4-4-2 or even 4-2-4
GK - Alisson - Now considered the best Goalkeeper in the world, Alisson has backstopped Liverpool into becoming arguably the best version of that storied club. Signed after the disastrous final against Real Madrid when goalkeeping errors exposed the Reds’ glaring weakness, “Ali” has shown safe hands and flawless distribution. He has perfected an aggressive smother style when tested one v one and has been continually perfecting his shot stopping techniques. Nicknamed “The Holy Goalie” for his strong Christian faith he is also called “O Goleiro Gato” or “The Cat Keeper” for his quick reflexes and ability to time a pounce.
RB - Danilo The first choice at Juventus for the past three years is doing his best to live up to the incredible legacy of great Brazilian right backs that extends through Dani Alves to Cafu to Carlos Alberto. No other country has produced a regular supply of rampaging right backs who can get forward to support the attack while also being relied upon to take care of his own goal. Danilo may even be more versatile than other right backs in the past, playing on the right side of a back three and even in midfield as a ball winner.
CB - Thiago Silva The defender known in Brazil as “O Monstro” showed how irreplaceable he was in the Semi Final of World Cup 2014 when he was suspended and the hapless Brazilian backline shipped an incredible 7 goals against eventual champions Germany. He has been a leader for the “Selecao” on the field, bringing stability and comfort to the back line and able to play out from the back. He has tremendous abilities reading the game and is unbeatable one v one with exceptional quickness and decisive interceptions. His aerial game is equally strong and he is a threat to score from set pieces. On his last World Cup, will be keen to erase the memories of 2014 and lead the Brazilian National Team to the podium to lift the trophy.
CB - Marquinhos Was named club captain at PSG after Thiago Silva left for Chelsea and has grown into an immense center back in his own right. He draws constant comparisons to his older teammate and mentor and the two complement each other very well and have learned to play off each other’s strengths. As he grows into the role, Marquinhos will have to take on more responsibility for covering his partner’s lack of pace.
LB - Alex Sandro An attacking left back with power and pace he has been used as a wingback and also on the left of a back three. He is a robust physical presence with pace and power and joins the attack to great effect. Now first choice at Juventus for the past 6 years, is coming into the World Cup in his prime although under serious competition for his starter’s spot.
CM - Casemiro Developed into an essential player under his manager Zidane at Real Madrid, Casemiro is a hard running, powerful midfield holder. Nicknamed “El Tank” in the Spanish press, his work in the center of midfield allows his more creative teammates to flourish. Has a powerful shot and gets forward to score on regular occasions.
RM - Fred One of the few Manchester United players to show improvement this season, the awkwardly named Fred continues to belie his pedestrian moniker with increasingly influential performances. His performance as a defensive midfielder has been critical to the limited success ManU have had, and he has shown a greater propensity to join the attack and make effective passes to advance the ball.
LM - Lucas Paqueta The Lyon star has a cultured left foot and joins the attack to great effect. He has shifted from a winger to more of a playmaker, someone who links the defense to the forwards and jumps into the rush to crash home a shot. Has worn the number 10 jersey for Brazil and is seen as the next generation’s leader from midfield.
LM - Vinicius Jr Has emerged as the danger man on the wing for Real Madrid this season with vibrant attacking play. His laser crosses and incisive running has contributed greatly to the renaissance of Karim Benzema this season. His speed and skill on the ball force the opposition to change their tactics and he has popped up with crucial goals for club and country all season, including the Finals winner.
CF - Neymar The biggest name in the sport for the past ten years, Neymar has set records for salaries, transfer fees and commercial endorsements, but still hasn’t gotten Brazil over the hump in a World Cup. His biggest moment for Brazil came when he scored the opening goal and converted the winning penalty in the Olympic Gold Medal Final, beating the Germans and exorcising the demons of 2014 and the 7-1 World Cup Semi Final loss he missed through injury, but after collecting his gold medal he renounced the captaincy. Since then he has been out of the team more often than not through injury as he continually draws fouls with his style of play and draws ire through his play acting when fouled. He comes into this World Cup with little motivation to prove himself and may be best left on the bench for Brazil to succeed.
RF - Raphinha The finest signing Leeds United made two years ago has kept them alive in the Premier League with spectacular goals. He has made an equally spectacular impact with Brazil, turning around a stagnant qualifier against Venezuela with two dramatic assists and using his speed to draw two penalties, before scoring two goals against Uruguay in a decisive qualifier.
The substitutes
GK Ederson If Alisson is the best keeper in the world his near rival Ederson may be second. He has backstopped Manchester City to more Premier League titles and his nerveless displays of distribution and ball handling have made him a viral video sensation. It is simply unfair that Brazil should have two such excellent goalkeepers but the embarrassment of riches gives fans of the national team a high level of comfort that the goal is well kept..
LB - Alex Telles Signed from FC Porto by Manchester United three seasons ago and has spent most of that time on the bench. This past season he made 21 appearances and began to stake a claim for a starter’s role with some assured leftback play. Is a versatile player, strong on either foot, which will help his cause to make the national team.
CB - Eder Militao Has been the rock at the foundation of Real Madrid’s championship season, appearing in 34 matches and hardly putting a foot wrong. While Thiago Silva is first choice, Brazil manager Tite will be thinking of putting the speedier Militao to start in matches where they may want to hold a higher line up the field. Just 24 and a future star for Brazil and Madrid.
RB Dani Alves Now in the twilight of an excellent career spanning Barcelona, Juventus and PSG, Dani Alves has been one of the best fullbacks in history. Back at Barcelona this past season he has appeared in only a dozen matches after leaving Sao Paolo after a contract dispute. The oldest player to win an Olympic Gold at the recent Olympics, he still makes surging runs to support the midfield and whip in crosses even as he approaches the 40 year threshold.
DM - Fabinho “The Lighthouse” has an unerring ability to spot the danger and warn his teammates. Has been instrumental in guiding Liverpool through the rocky waters of the Premier League and helping them find the safe harbours of Europe. His presence is immense in the center of midfield and his absence due to injury was keenly felt last season in Liverpool.
RM - Bruno Guimarães While a lot of the media attention around Newcastle United has centered around their new sponsorship deal with shady petro dollars, fans of the club have been focused on new signing Bruno and his sexy midfield play. His form has been critical to the club’s turnaround this season and his 5 goals in only 17 appearances as the Magpies singing his praise. Has only 6 national team callups but if there is a “Kleberson” in this side, someone who comes off the bench to claim a starting spot for the tournament, it could be Bruno.
LM Philippe Coutinho Fresh off a full transfer to Aston Villa, the former Liverpool and Barcelona star made a big money move to Bayern Munich but was then left on the bench. He was named to the World Cup “Dream Team” just four years ago and scored a sensational curling goal against Switzerland, cutting in from the left and letting fly with his right foot in a trademark fashion. Unlikely to be a starter this World Cup but “The Little Magician” as Liverpool fans fondly recall him could make a dramatic impact off the bench when a goal is needed.
LF - Richarlison Over on the blue side of the Mersey, Richarlison has become a beloved figure at Everton. His goals and emphatic celebrations were a highlight of their recent relegation escape and his pace and passion have made him a fan favourite. May be called upon if Brazil struggle to finish and it may just be an opportunity to win a starter’s job over the often profligate Gabriel Jesus.
CF - Gabriel Jesus Is coming off his least productive season in terms of goals due to his club Manchester City employing a “false nine” forward line. Ironically, he switched his jersey number to #9 before the season. Has made effective appearances as a substitute and shown the pace and finishing quality needed to play the striker role for Brazil and is likely to be first choice, however at club level he is now behind newly signed Erling Braut Haaland at City and may have to evaluate his transfer options to keep his profile top of mind for the national team.
CF Matheus Cunha The all time highest scorer for Brazil’s U-23 teams he overtook Ronaldhino with his 19th goal at that age level during the 2020 Olympic Tournament. He won the Gold Medal then and has made 6 appearances for the national team while becoming a regular with Atletico Madrid. Has the size and physical profile to play back to goal and give this Brazilian side a robust number 9 upfront when they need that style of play.
RF - Rodrygo One of the fresh faces signed by Real Madrid out of Brazil, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr have revitalized the aging Benzema and given the midfield maestros Modric and Kroos capable partners to play off. Rodrygo was ever present in the league and scored a critical knockout punch in the Champions League against Chelsea to put Los Merengues through.