Is This The Year For The Selecao?

 

Brazil. The most prosperous nation in the history of the World Cup. They are the only country to participate in every World Cup since its inception in 1930. For many outside the football circle, Brazil is the personification of football as an art form. Through skill, imagination and thought, Brazil is the country many what to emulate in their football team. They remained the last team to win it consecutively between 1958 and 1962 and produced sides that continue to live in the memory. 

Since winning the tournament in 2002, Brazil has failed to make the World Cup Final and has passed beyond the quarterfinals only once. That was the 2014 World Cup, hosted on home soil. Unfortunately, the semifinal brought Brazil's lowest point in modern history, losing 7-1 against Germany. Breaking the psychological advantage Brazil had in international football. With the rapid industrialization of footballers now and Europe's constant success in the past four tournaments, many have raised the question of the Selecao of Brazil winning the World Cup sooner rather than later. For this upcoming World Cup, Brazil is in the conversation and are heavy favourites to win it.

Brazil has been under the management of Tite, being the head coach since 2016. Under the watch of the former Corinthians, Brazil has won 57 matches and competed in three major tournaments thus far. He managed to deliver silverware, winning the Copa America in 2019. Brazil's first major trophy since the 2013 Confederations Cup. He was also the first manager to lose a competitive game against Argentina on home soil when Argentina beat Brazil in the 2021 Copa America Final. Overall, Tite's time with Brazil has been a success, with 164 goals scored and only 27 goals conceded. Having stated that this upcoming World Cup will be his last, the players he takes to Qatar will have the task of delivering a sixth star for the South American nation.

Brazil, over recent World Cups, have had question marks over the quality of their squads. For this upcoming World Cup, Brazil has a plethora of riches that some players might not make the final 26-man squad. The man who will feel the weight of the nation is Neymar. Having been in the spotlight since he was a teenager, lofty expectations have been on the former Santos star. Having scored 75 goals in 121 caps, Neymar is on the cusp of being Brazil's all-time leading scorer, but he does not have much to show for it. Thus, this upcoming World Cup is an important one for him and how his legacy will be in Brazil. Fortunately for Neymar, he has a supporting cast that matches his talents. 

Brazil has Alisson Becker and Ederson to pick between the sticks, with Alisson preferred. In defence, Thiago Silva is the elder statesman at 38 years of age and has 109 caps for Brazil. Alongside him will be Marquinhos, who has been playing at the highest level for years with Brazil and PSG. Bremer and  Eder Militao make up their options at central defence. Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes misses out. Their choices at full-back are intriguing. As they are more astute defenders rather than rapid wide players. Danilo, Alex Telles, and Alex Sandro are their first options, and Militao can deploy at right-back. Dani Alves returned to the setup but will be more of a supporter behind the scenes.

Midfield and attack are where Brazil start to display their capabilities. Brazil's midfield options are well-rounded and provide the balance necessary in defence and attack. Casemiro is their holding midfielder and is their most key midfielder. Fred and Lucas Paqueta will be vying to partner Casemiro, while Fabinho and Bruno Guimaraes are great understudies. In attack, Brazil has a wealth of riches. Neymar, Vinicius, Raphinha, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo and so on. For Tite, this would have given him sleepless nights. Roberto Firmino, Matheus Cunha and Gabriel Barbosa are capable attackers but were omitted from the final squad. 

For Tite, the raw materials are there to make a strong attempt for Brazil to become World Champions as Brazil is the biggest favourite to win it and is number one in FIFA World Rankings. It will be a great swansong for Tite and Neymar, who can cap off his international career not only as Brazil's all-time leading scorer but as a world champion too. What can hurt Brazil is if they are mentally fragile. Wearing that iconic yellow shirt carries so much weight that many players in past World Cups failed to handle it. That will be the biggest test for Brazil, especially during the knockout stages. Will a sixth star be on Brazil's emblem come December?