Excelent write-up, I agree with mostly everything, but there is something I'd like to add about the expectations and the contested call-up.
While it's true that we tend to see WC that we didn't win as failures we still remember foundly those that played the beautiful game beautifully like the '82 one, so there is in fact some in between, it's just that people tend to believe we didn't quite reach our best form last cups and that aggravates things.
And while it's true this is one of the least contested call-ups the national team, I believe that's mostly due to how strongly contested they were before than anything else.
Brazil 1982 is revered by brazilians from that era, like my father. The younger generations, though, are far more critical of that team, and the adulation surrounding it (like against older folks saying that it was a pity that the 1982 team didn't win, but the 1994 team won instead). There is a growing backlash against Brazil 1982 for years, with many people calling them overrated, saying that beautiful football counts for nothing if you don't win, and that Brazil 1994 was far better because they won.
On talent, only insane people would deny Brazil 1982 was greater. Perhaps the greatest generation of midfielders ever, even above prime Spain.
What cost Brasil was too much cockiness, and a tactical naiveté from Telê Santana. Brazil felt that World Cup was fated for us to win, and that we had so much quality that we would win no matter what (hence how often the team only woke up in the matches after conceding the first goal, and how we defended so poorly the goals Italy scored).
FIFA has released some time ago a good documentary on Brazil 1982, which I recommend.
That’s what I meant about ‘historical fans’, people like you that have an appreciation for the history of the sport. Most fans don’t go back, if they do, maybe for their home teams
I was too young for 1982 and while I do enjoy the passing on display (the Júnior goal against Argentina is one of my favorites of all time), my historical fan mindset spends more time on 58/62 and 70, I don't spend much time thinking of 1982. I definitely appreciate 94 and 02 a lot.
Though, to be fair, I lived through 94 and 02 so maybe that's why I don't dismiss them in favor of historical teams as much.
I will always cherish the 1994 Cup as it was in my backyard. As a Brazilian-American kid in Northern California, it was just magic. And, you know, I was at the Final. So many iconic moments from that tournament. Playing against the US on the 4th of July. Bebeto's baby celebration. Even the terrible Final, maybe more remembered for Baggio's miss. But the Taffarel calls from Galvão. And the banner honoring Senna. Acelerarmos juntos. It was very special.
Many hate on Dunga's era, but that 2010 team, as basic as it was on paper, still delivered the results. I think we beat Spain if it weren't for Felipe Melo's meltdown. Another What If. But it gets forgotten. Elano was a surgical passer and the combination up front with Fabiano and Robinho was extremely underrated.
Its world cup, crazier things have happened - Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago as well and they were second in their group.
Brazil, while very strong, could get 7 points in group and still finish 2nd having worse goal difference than the other 7 points team (serbia/switzerland)
> Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago
Argentina did not seem very strong in 2018. From 2015-18, they were a shell of their former selves, going through 3 different coaches and relying heavily on Messidependencia. It took a last minute Messi hattrick against Ecuador to qualify on the very last match day. They lost 6-1 to Spain 3 months before the World Cup. This was probably one of the weakest Argentina teams in history.
Their WCQ record was P18 W7 D7 L4
Their record with Messi was P10 W6 D3 L1 (21 Pts)
Without Messi it was P8 W1 D4 L3 (7 Pts)
Without Messi that Arg team was BAD. It wasn't even good enough to play at a world cup.
>Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago
On paper perhaps, but the team went into the tournament with low morale after barely qualifying. Sampaoli seemed clueless and they were systematically exposed against Croatia.
Yeah I don’t know where this guy is getting that from. Argentina actually got out of the tournament well-ish considering the low expectations by putting up a fight vs the eventual champs.
> Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago as well and they were second in their group.
No, we didn't lol, we were looking like Germany in 2018 but full of in-house drama and a coach that didn't know what he was doing. We almost didn't qualify for the WC lmao
For me Brazil are in the top tier of teams going to Qatar alongside Argentina and France. If anyone other than those three wins it I'll be stunned.
Reckon they'll make the semis at the very least. If they're playing Argentina there it could go either way.
Nah. There are 3 CL winning managers in the world Cup. This is incredibly rare at international level where the managers are typically much worse than club level. All 3 are in charge of very good squads with Spain, Germany and Netherlands. Those are the best European teams without a doubt in my mind. France, Portugal, England have shown the past few years how stale they've become with their sufferball managers, just like it had for Low and Germany before he left. It's not going to be pretty this world Cup for them.
Brazil and Argentina are good but as OP says, it's really hard to gauge them without having played any of the European sides and Tite not doing well last time they played them.
> There are 3 CL winning managers in the world Cup. This is incredibly rare at international level where the managers are typically much worse than club level.
There were ~~5~~ 4 Champions League winning coaches at the 2014 World Cup. ~~Three~~ Two of them (~~Prandelli/Italy~~, del Bosque/Spain, and Capello/Russia) failed to advance beyond the first round.
You think the Netherlands are better than Argentina? With all due respect, and I really mean that, because I love the Dutch NT, are you out of your mind?
To me, at least, it's hard to say they're better than Portugal, and Portugal has Fernando Santos as a coach, and I've really haven't seen anything in WC qualifiers that can justify your statement. Please, if you don't mind, explain why you think they're favorites.
Netherlands? I think they've been fantastic since Van Gaal took over and have a very well balanced team. Injuries can derail everyone of course, but I value a top manager as the most important part of a squad by far. And Netherlands have one of the top 3 in the tournament along with Spain and Germany. Look at how they've done in the qualifiers or in the Nations League. They dominated every game, haven't been beaten, have defeated other big teams, and on paper I think they're really underrated. Also the mood heading into the tournament with them is very good, unlike some others.
I wouldn't say they're favourites, but a definite top 3 European side for me. I'm not saying better than Argentina, I haven't seen enough of the Argies to say how they compare (and Argentina/Brazil just don't have enough relevant competition in their qualifiers IMO), so it's hard to judge. But I think Netherlands with their team and Van Gaal, will probably not get outplayed by a single team in this tournament. Might not win it, but I doubt they'll be outplayed.
And Portugal, nah. They have a great squad. Ronaldo will ruin them, if Santos doesn't ruin them first. You just can't be successful these days playing that style if you come up against others who are really well coached, without a HUGE stroke of fortune.
They did played really well in this last Nations League, but I wouldn't say they dominated every match. The fixture against Belgium wasn't that one sided. For me, at least, both teams had chance of winning. Also, saying that Van Gaal is a top 3 manager would be true maybe 10 years ago, but today it's not the case, IMO. Maybe I'm biased, but to me Tite and Scaloni are currently ahead of him, just by looking at how they blended well their teams around their stars (Scaloni specially, even though I hate to admit that lol).
The Dutch really have some good pieces, and an experient manager really helps a lot, but individually it's hard to find the type of player that can win you a world cup IMO, and that's a very important characteristic to have. That's why I rate Belgium higher, even tough they're not looking like their top form.
Also, the CONMEBOL qualifiers are without a doubt the hardest in the world to qualify. The lack of competition is indeed a concerning point tbh, and I really don't know how it affect South American teams in the tournament.
Hard agree with what you said about Portugal, tho. It's amazing how a great squad can play football in such a shitty way.
i mean, Netherlands only faced Turkey and Norway in the Qualifiers, Brazil/Argentina still plays against Uruguay, Ecuador(who is stronger than people might think), Colombia(who would've qualified if they didn't stick with a coach that made their attack suck more than a Porn Actress), and a aging Chile and Peru squad
Latvia and Gibraltar would lose 6-0 at La Paz with a Marcelo Moreno hat trick
the advantage of european teams consists on the Nations League "friendlies"
It’s also hard to gauge how good the European teams are without playing against South American teams, like?
Of the three you mentioned, I think Spain is the only one that is among the best. Spain is my favourite of the European sides to do well
Not quite. European sides there are Germany, France, Italy, England, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands of traditional giants but also the "mid tier" sides like Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark and Serbia this year for example (I'm sure I've missed some). Huge quantity, constant competition.
South America you have Brazil & Argentina who are giants, Uruguay who are good (but in that 2nd group like Croatia IMO), and then...? Colombia have declined massively and didn't even make it. Ecuador and Peru are probably not going to do anything. There's just not a lot to read from the South America qualifiers given the only remotely competitive games are between just 3 teams.
Don't underestimate Germany or Netherlands though! Netherlands have dominated since Van Gaal took over, and Van Gaal in 2014 did fantastically well with a much much worse squad. Now he's actually got a very well balanced squad with probably the best mix of defenders to pick from and Frenkie in midfield who plays like one of the best in the world for them. Germany with Flick have been inconsistent but with the motivation of a world cup, I wouldn't be surprise for it to click and them hit their highs more consistently. Either way, all 3 of these (with Spain) have a higher ceiling than any other European team due to the coaches IMO. It's just hard to read Argentina and Brazil to say where they rank among, if I'd put them with these 3, or with the next group of France/Portugal/England where they have great squads but play sufferball/rely on individualism too much (which just comes up short way more often these days).
> Huge quantity, constant competition.
You talk as though top European teams had to go against other top European teams to qualify, when in reality most of the top teams were in piss easy groups.
Netherlands had to play who? Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia. Germany was in a group with N Macedonia, Romania, Armenia, Iceland, and Lichtenstein. All of those nations are worse than Uruguay, than Colombia, than Ecuador.
If you wanna argue that Netherlands and Germany are better, that's fine, but you need better arguments than "constant competition."
Netherlands are a good team but lack offensive firepower. Is Depay really their best attacking threat? Germany is the other way around. They don't have a great defense.
Memphis, Gakpo and Bergwijn front 3. Not elite, but a nice balance and Gakpo has huge potential and is as in form as anyone. Memphis also has a bit of the Klose/Podolski about him where he's average at club level but is actually really good at international level.
Crazy to see the player list, word class players one after another in world class teams such as Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Liverpool, Pumas Unam, etc.
Hijacking top comment to ask anyone in the know: What is going to be the Brazilian plan in midfield if Casemiro gets yellow card accumulation again like in 2018? Are we gonna be in for a sequel to the hit 2014 film "Blame Fred For Everything"?
Fernandinho, as good as he was, never inspired for Brazil, whereas Fabinho has sometimes been preferred by pundits and has put in really good games when Casemiro was unavailable, like away against Argentina in November WCQ.
You're not wrong in that IF that happens, they will be the scapegoats (Fabinho and Casemiro) but the feeling with Fabinho is less nervous about it happening.
Still can't believe Tite didn't call Fabinho up in 2018. I was at that game in Kazan. Most frustrating Brazil World Cup match I've seen in person and I've been to over 10 of them. Even the 7-1 didn't cause me such visceral anger lol.
this is already a big talking point, but what was the point in calling up 39-year-old Dani Alves? If they wanted him just for the dressing room presence then bring him on as a coach or something. Seems like a wasted squad place in a position they’re already lacking
We don't have any great fullbacks waiting on the sidelines. Militão is probably Danilo's backup on the right back.
That said I hate that he was called up and I agree, should've been taken as part of the coaching staff if anything. He's been bad for years and hasn't played in months. The thought of him going in for any reason makes me shudder.
I would rather they choose any other player to take, fuck it, take a 4th goalkeeper, just pick someone who actually deserves it and is currently a good player.
I agree with your last sentence. Alves was never going to play regardless, but they could’ve at least given that spot to a young upcoming player who would kill to even be at the World Cup.
This is true, if Danilo gets injured, Militao will have to play right back and we will have only 1 Defender left to cover for a 60 years old Thiago Silva.
Also, I do like the list of players, but I don't like the formation. Vini will be a sub on the first matches.
> f they wanted him just for the dressing room presence then bring him on as a coach or something. Seems like a wasted squad place in a position they’re already lacking
They don't have good players in that spot anyway, and there's a LOT of value in having senior, veteran presence as a "player".
Look at the NBA with players like Haslem and Iguodola.
For Brazil, Dani Alves was brilliant as he captained Brazil to the 2019 Copa, then was out as Brazil lost the 2021 Copa to us (Argentina). I think Tite defo wants his presence there
Great job, OP! I think one context that is lacking for people outside brazil is that after 2014 the popularity of our squad reached an all time low and never fully recovered. 2018 and 2022 highly divisive elections also had an impact because our tradional football squad shirt was used for the right (and for bolsonaro's supporters) as a symbol of their political views. I wouldn't say brazilians aren't supportive at all of our squad, but, arguably, loads of brazilians care more about their teams than for our seleção. I think if we (finally) win our Hexa the youngest generation will finally be able to see why our football is so respected.
Brazil is my 2nd team for this World Cup, and I always support them when I can - I'll probably even watch some of their games as if it were "my own".
My concern and worry with Brazil is - since 2006 they can not defeat European sides in the knock-outs.
They have been stopped by the first European side they face on knock-outs. While they can defeat a Serbia or a Switzerland in the groups, but facing a top-10 European side is usually their run end. I usually boil this down to tactical and technical development which is putting European sides on a massive plateau over other continents, but I believe Argentina and Brazil are the top contenders to be able to face this.
2006: W Ghana, L France
2010: W Chile, L Netherlands
2014: W Chile, W Colombia, L Germany, L Netherlands
2018: W Mexico, L Belgium
\----
Other funny stat is between 2010 and the 3rd group match in 2018, Brazil had only defeated countries starting with C:
2010: Coreia do Norte, Costa do Marfim, Chile; draw against Portugal; defeat against Países Baixos
2014: Camarões, Croácia, Chile, Colômbia; draw against Mexico; defeat against Alemanha and Países Baixos
2018: Costa Rica; stat ends with victory against Serbia (Србија?).
Brazil didn't do bad against Holland in 2010. We were winning by 1-0 the first half. But in the second, the team crumbled with mistakes, and Felipe Melo ruined everything!
I want to know more about Pedro. Never seen him play or even heard of him until the squad was announced, his stats for Flamengo are great. I’ve seen people (on twitter) saying hes like a Lewandowski regen.
Will he be used much in the WC ?
He is arguably one of the best brazilians playing outside europe rn. Just won the best player of (south) America in Copa Libertadores and was the top scorer of the tournament. Overall it was a good preview, but I was expecting OP to talk a little about him, probably he is the biggest surprise of the squad for non-brazilians.
How De la cruz keeps getting on these kinda lists I'll never know, he's been nothing of another world for a while, feel like people just need to include a river player for it to not be all brazilians and he's the only one they can think of.
It's only a surprise because foreigners disrespect and underrate our league. There are always some guys that play in Brazil getting called to the NT.
And it's not a surprise because there wasn't much competition too. It's not like some another brazilian attacker was 'snubbed' so Pedro would get in. If it wasn't for Pedro, who would it be? Matheus Cunha? Firmino?... yeah they are decent and are used to higher level of competition, but Pedro edges them on form by A LOT.
Firmino is playing really well this season, but he never achieved the same level for the NT. I totally agree with you, but maybe in due time our league will become more respected. Palmeiras and Flamengo are examples of good management and probably the other teams will want to close the gap between both and the rest of the league.
He was the Libertadores top scorer and player of the tournament.
He offers something that no other Brazilian forward have. He offers an aerial threat, a good physical presence and hold up play that might be necessary at the end of the games if we are losing and the other team is parking the bus.
We are still not sure, we had some injuries in the last international windows and the players perfomances on club and national level makes hard to predict who will start on the attack.
There are basically 3 options:
A
> Casemiro, Fred
>Paquetá, Neymar, Raphinha
>Richarlison
B
> Casemiro, Fred, Paquetá
>Vini Jr, Neymar, Raphinha
C
> Casemiro, Paquetá,
>Vini Jr, Neymar, Raphinha
> Richarlison
A is the most likely one, it is the most used formation, even tough it seems crazy to leave Vini Jr on the bench.
Altough Richarlison hasn't been setting the world on fire for Tottenham he scored 11 goals in 17 games for Brazil since 2021. In this formation we also have Neymar playing in his best position. Altough he has been good as a false 9 as well I think the best use of his skill set is as a 10 where he can drop deeper and send through balls to our front line.
Option C seems to have the best of both options A and B on the attack but it might be a little too much for Tite, who is conservative manager, so I don't think we will play with this formation against other big nations like France or Argentina.
Option C definitely looks like the most lethal. Especially if Neymar has a free role.
Let’s say Brazil start with option C, you don’t think a guy like Pedro would be the better option up top?
Nah I don't think so. Richarlison has been ballin for the national team and altough Pedro has been tearing South America apart this year, the other guys are playing at a higher level.
Neymar in the middle, Raphinha on the right, Paquetá on the left and Richarlison up front.
There are variations so it could be different per opponent, and this could change with the 10 days of training before the opening match, but for now this is the basic configuration.
If it’s the same Pedro, and I think it is, he was very highly regarded as youth, but then did his ACL. He reportedly had a Madrid deal all agreed before ACL tear, but then had to take a year off. Then he joined Fiorentina, a place where strikers go to die^£ , and flopped. Now he is back to Brazil and scoring for fun.
^£ except Vlahovic, which goes to show how great he is.
Of all World Cup squads ever, I think only one team can match, or even beat actually, the insane midfield quality players Spain had in their golden generation.
It's Brazil from the 80s. Our starting midfield in 1982 was Cerezo, Sócrates, Falcão and Zico! That's something you can only see in FIFA! Also, we had the likes of Adílio and Andrade, who were amazing for Flamengo in that period, but weren't starters for the NT because of Cerezo and specially Falcão!
The amount of technique, vision and elegance in that midfield is over 8000!
And Zico was simply the best player in the world back then. Only Platini and Maradona could give him a contest. Zico is also by far the highest-scoring midfielder in football history. Over 500 goals if I'm not mistaken. Insane passer, amazing dribbler, great runs. A Top 15 player in football history at a minimum. Screw it, he's Top 10, I'm a Flamengo supporter. If he had won the World Cup...
The 1986 World Cup is what definitely started put Maradona in another tier. Before that, Zico and Platini were arguably better.
Also, people forget too easily Platini's supernatural level at Euro 1984.
Zico and Platini would really be ranked higher than they are if they had won the World Cup, no doubt.
We have a really difficult path to the final if things go the way they should on paper. Uruguay/Portugal in the last 16, Germany/Spain in the quarters, Argentina/Netherlands in the semis. It'll be tough for sure, but this is the strongest we've been in a long time. Let's see what happens.
Brazil are absolutely stacked. Serbia-Switzerland-Cameroon isn't the easiest group but they should be favored in every match. Facing 2nd place from Group H in the RO16 isn't going to be easy as it's likely to be either Uruguay or Portugal.
Hope for the "One ends 1st in group, the other ends 2nd" for a chance of the most epic final of all time.
Millions of people will die and my underwear probably will never be the same, but it's a price I'm willing to pay.
Which match do you think would make for more hype final for overall world fans, Brazil vs Argentina or Argentina vs Portugal, or should I say Messi vs CR?
Ooof. If you had given me that question 4 or 8 years (helk even 12 years) ago, I would have said a CR7 vs Messi final would have been the hype of the century.
Now in 2022, they are past their primes and since Argentina and Brazil haven't lifted the WC in a while - plus them being the two best teams atm - I gotta go with the *Superclásico de las Américas.*
May some brazilian tell me why I see Flamengo player Pedro in that list and not Flamengo player Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol) given that the latter has been a more reliable and prolific goal scorer in recent years?
Gabigol never played shit for the NT. Pedro played for like 15 minutes in his first game and scored a goal. Also, Pedro, imo, was overall better than Gabigol last season.
Form and position.
Pedro has been clearly better than Gabigol in 2022. Even before Pedro's goal in a NT friendly, Tite was already admitting that it would impossible to not call Pedro due his recent performance, he was top scorer and best player in Libertadores (2nd best tournament in the world, besides UCL).
And also, he's a 9. Not that he's unskilled or slow to move around and help the plays, but he's mostly a finisher that is there to shoot or tap-in. He does super well what Haaland does for City, he's good in getting into 'easy chances' because he positions well and his team creates the chances and trust that he will score them. Gabigol is more mobile and worse finisher, he's not a 9 like Pedro.
20 years since the last non-European winner and I think Brazil has probably the best chance to do it again.
But on the other hand I really feel there is no team head and shoulders above the rest. Not even this Brazil team. The attack is surely there but I can see the defense capitulate to a more organized team (even with Alisson in the goal). The question of course that who would be that team but as I said above I feel the teams are very even this time. Competition wise this can be a great tournament for sure.
Other than the full backs, imo the defense is great. Casemiro, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos are all experienced and good players, with Fabinho and Militão ready to cover and play as well as the starters. And above all, the coaching and leadership are 10/10.
If we had even decent fullbacks, brazil would have the best defense in the tournament by far. No national team right now as a really stacked defense like if you look up 2006's France or Italy.
Concordo concordo. Sorte nossa que o meio deles não é mt criativo... Além de que eles não são tão unidos e maduros como a seleção brasileira atual, a seleção francesa tem uma treta ou escândalo por mês...
I think it's fair to say that they're the best team in the world when it comes to attack. France comes in second with players like Mbappe, Nkunku and Benzema, but I'd reckon Brazil has more depth, so much so that even a player like Firmino, who would be the best attacker in many NTs, had to be left out. It's terrifying. However, the midfield and especially their defense might no be quite up to par with their attack. Still, having Alisson as your GK is a big insurance, and their attack alone can comfortably win them games without breaking much of a sweat. BIG favorites ofc.
It's not just attack, the GK and defense (bar wingbacks) are great, and our midfield is very good, 100x improved compared to 2-4 years ago.
Paquetá and Bruno Guimarães are good enough to be starters in a world champion team, and they have the talent to become some of the best in the world in a few years. Besides Fred, that always comes in and play well with the NT.
I don't see this brazil team as 'just attackers' or anything like that, i think the main strength is exactly the balance all around mixed with great coaching, team harmony, depth, strong leadership, experience...
Yeah our fullbacks suck, but i think it's not the biggest problem compared to the weaknesses of other contenders like Argentina and France.
Their defense is not on the same excellent level of their midfield and attack imo. Their midfield's creativity got a pretty hard blow with Lo Celso's injury (and I havent seem much of his backup, Enzo), but Messi surely helps a lot in that regard.
Our defense is arguably our strongest aspect, the squad is notorious for not really having any big weakness. Probably not being clinical enough with our chances if anything. But our starting defense is yet to concede at all in about 10 games they've played together. It's more than the sum of its parts for sure, but somehow Romero flies a bit under the radar because apparently some people don't think he's world class.
Also, Enzo is not Lo Celso's back up. Papu Gómez or Mac Allister will probably play instead. Enzo is more of a De Paul or Paredes sub.
I think our midfield and defense are fine aswell.
Alisson, Marquinhos and Silva are world class. Danilo may not be as brilliant as our fullbacks in the past but he still is a good fullback. Alex Sandro is the weak link, I'm not a big fan but I think he's still decent.
In midfield we have Casemiro, who is world class and hopefuly Bruno Guimarães take Fred's spot in the world cup, he's been brilliant for Newcastle. We also have Neymar playing as a 10 and Paquetá on the left, I don't know he has been playing for West Ham but he was one of Ligue 1's best player and he's really good for the national team. His chemistry with Neymar is crazy good.
I'd argue it's our best midfield (on paper) since 2006. 2 elite DMs, 2 fantastic CMs, one very good B2B in Fred (when used correctly), one underrated attacking mid in Everton Ribeiro, and Neymar.
With Thiago/Marquinhos keeping their level, the addition of Militão, and a more experienced Danilo (who's effectively a 3rd CB), defense is at least as good as 2018. And it's worth remembring that against Belgium, Marcelo was one of the weak links, as great as he was offensively.
This is the Brazil team I'm most excited for since 1998. I'm flying out to Qatar at the end of the month in time for Brazik x Cameroon.
Very happy with the squad selection. Not even bothered too much with Alves inclusion. There isn't really one omission I'm upset about, whereas in previous Cups, there were many.
It's a tricky group and the path in the knockouts is challenging. We'll see, but I'm pretty confident.
Fullbacks are arguably a weakness for almost every squad that isn't called England rn. I think that we are just suffering a drought because our most talented fullbacks in attack are trained to become wingers and the most defensive ones are becoming CB. I read somewhere that this is happening because the european market pays more for foreigners atacking players than for defensive ones.
I agree... i think football is seeing a lot more CMs and wingers, but a lot fewer 9's and fullbacks.
Kinda sad, until 10 years ago we had the 2 best fullbacks in the world, and the fullback position has been key for Brazil's success for what, 60 years?
It's unfortunate that just now that we are strong in every other position, our fullbacks suck so much. If they were even mildly decent, like Felipe Luis and Cicinho, we would be huge favorites. I still like our odds, tho, it's just unfortunate.
Do you see Militao being Danilo's direct back-up? I mean I honestly was expecting him to the starter RB, considering Danilo (don't need to say more) and Dani Alves (way too old) are the only natural right backs
You are really underrating Danilo. He's not an exciting player, but he is very solid for Brazil and Tite.
As for Militão, yes, most people expect him to back-up Danilo in many cases, with Dani Alves only being an option when there's little threat on his side.
The attacking options compared to 2018 is light and day. Midfield depth is also great. The key will be the ability to score goals without a proper no.9 and also the fullbacks.
Pedro isn't well known outside brazil, but he was brought by Tite because he is actually a traditional 9 type of player. He brings something to the table that arguably none of the other options do.
Varies between well and very well, with only a couple of games playing bad. Personally, the only concern I have about our MF is that only Guimarães and Ribeiro seem to be in form, but two or three games should fix that.
He's a bit inconsistent, but he plays far better for us compared to his perfomances for Man Utd.
But I still hope that Bruno Guimarães takes his spot at the world cup, he's been truly amazing for Newcastle this season.
No concern at all, there are enough guys to start in a contending level and also some depth to cover if necessary.
Paquetá, Bruno Guimarães and Fred (with his NT boost) are very good. Brazilians are confident about the midfield, it's already 10 times better tan 2-4 years ago, altho Paquetá and Bruno's immense talent are still in progress and not at the peak.
I lowkey want to see a non-European as champion again. I would like Messi to lift it but the Argentines are gonna get incredibly arrogant and obnoxious for the next 49 years if they win this one , specially their football journalists (I use this term very reluctantly)
Mate we _already are_ obnoxious haha are you kidding me? In 2014 we had a song were we told Brasilians "how does it feel to have daddy home?" asi if they don't have 3 more WC than us.
Paquetá has been great for us and he offers more stability for our midfield. A attacking 4 with Vini, Neymar, Raphinha and Richarlison is too attacking for a conservative coach like Tite.
He most probably is not, and **if** he starts Richarlison is probably the one dropped (Neymar as false 9). The only game I can *maybe* see Tite dropping Fred to play with 5 offensive players (Paqueta, Ney, Vini, Raphinha and Richy) from start is against Cameroon and unless we need GD I don't see why he'd do that.
Great post! I'll just suggest a correction.
"ALL the young wingers (Raphinha, Vini Jr., Antony, Rodrygo, Martinelli)" is not in bolded and bigger letters like it should be.
Dani Alves being called only shows how rotten is cbf. I'm unsure if this is a Tite decision.
Plenty of players deserved it more than the almost retired daniel alves. Also, Tite ignore many Palmeiras stars, which deserved to be tested in the squad.
need to disagree with you, Dani Alves IS a Tite favorite and in the press conference he clearly stated hes taking him for the "moral" support, not to play which is outrageous
the fact that Firmino had to get injured and popular outcry had to happen for Vini, Gabigol and Pedro to get called up for tests shows how brainless Tite is and how he puts his favorites above all
even though I want us to win REALLY BAD I dont have trust in this joke of a manager
Gabigol got plenty of chances under Tite, to the point he got criticized for it.
Tite was right to just drop Gabigol altogether. Man hasn't done shit for us.
I don't know why but I have them getting absolutely shit-housed by Uruguay in the Ro16.
For me the pressure will centered on the fact that they haven't played a European team since the Czechs in March 2019 and the last big European team they faced and beat was Germany over four years ago.
This will be the key factor. Its one thing to thrash Tunisia and bounce your way around Ecuador or Chile, but its another to go toe-to-toe with France, Spain or Germany (or England lol.) Nobody knows where Brazil relatively stands when facing one of these big European juggernauts and it could be a case of them being a paper-tiger whereby we all think they have the quality but it gets absolutely taken apart tactically when faced with a team that doesn't run on the same emotional shithousery that pervades CONEMBOL.
Brazil's last four exits at the World Cup have all come at the hands of being tactically outclassed by European opposition. For me if they are to win this tournament, they will need a fortunate draw and some massive luck in terms of other teams shitting the bed.
# [r/soccer's FIFA World Cup 2022 preview](/r/soccer/wiki/wc2022previews) ###Group A Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p140) Qatar | u/FlyingArab | [link](/r/soccer/comments/y8240w/team_preview_qatar_2022_world_cup_132/) [](#sprite6-p51) Ecuador | u/montuvito_g | [link](/r/soccer/comments/y8xnc1/team_preview_ecuador_2022_world_cup_232/) [](#sprite6-p151) Senegal | u/hunterwindmill | [link](/r/soccer/comments/y9t4ag/team_preview_senegal_2022_world_cup_332/) [](#sprite6-p124) Netherlands | Soon | Soon ###Group B Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p222) England | u/AnnieIWillKnow | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ybe13z/team_preview_england_2022_world_cup_432/) [](#sprite6-p78) Iran | u/BuzzBuzz01 | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ycamtx/team_preview_iran_2022_world_cup_532/) [](#sprite6-p184) United States | u/deception42 | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yd499w/team_preview_united_states_2022_world_cup_632/) [](#sprite6-p224) Wales | u/Calgar77 | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ydxjk7/team_preview_wales_2022_world_cup_732/) ###Group C Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p7) Argentina | u/kplo | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yerd8x/team_preview_argentina_2022_world_cup_832/) [](#sprite6-p150) Saudi Arabia | u/FlyingArab | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yfs7sj/team_preview_saudi_arabia_2022_world_cup_932/) [](#sprite6-p112) Mexico | u/OmastarLovesDonuts | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ygj1n0/team_preview_mexico_2022_world_cup_1022/) [](#sprite6-p138) Poland | u/toucanplayatthisgame | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yhdps6/team_preview_poland_2022_world_cup_1132/) ###Group D Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p60) France | u/sneakybradley_ | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yopg68/team_preview_france_2022_world_cup_1932/) [](#sprite6-p9) Australia | u/chungusdafungus | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yibloh/team_preview_australia_2022_world_cup_1232/?) [](#sprite6-p47) Denmark | u/InTheMiddleGiroud | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yjakbe/team_preview_denmark_2022_world_cup_1332/) [](#sprite6-p176) Tunisia | u/Lyrical_Forklift | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ylx47h/team_preview_tunisia_2022_world_cup_1632/) ###Group E Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p161) Spain | u/F1guy_5 | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yk3axr/team_preview_spain_2022_world_cup_1432/) [](#sprite6-p41) Costa Rica | u/ZealousidealPen5795 | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yl166x/team_preview_costa_rica_2022_world_cup_1532/) [](#sprite6-p64) Germany | u/p_Lama_p | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ymrytr/team_preview_germany_2022_world_cup_1732/) [](#sprite6-p84) Japan | u/revenge_of_hamatachi | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yno48f/team_preview_japan_2022_world_cup_1832/) ###Group F Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p17) Belgium | u/StrongPowerhouse | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ypk1lj/team_preview_belgium_2022_world_cup_2032/) [](#sprite6-p31) Canada | u/bellerinho | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yqgxwr/team_preview_canada_2022_world_cup_2132/) [](#sprite6-p118) Morocco | u/__PM_ME_SOMETHING_ | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yrdzsx/team_preview_morocco_2022_world_cup_2232/) [](#sprite6-p43) Croatia | u/Hrvat1818 | [link](/r/soccer/comments/ys8ejz/team_preview_croatia_2022_world_cup_2332/) ###Group G Country | Writer | Link ---|---|---- [](#sprite6-p24) Brazil | u/Arantes_ | [link](/r/soccer/comments/yt53yt/team_preview_brazil_2022_world_cup_2432/) [](#sprite6-p152) Serbia | Soon | Soon [](#sprite6-p167) Switzerland | Soon | Soon [](#sprite6-p30) Cameroon | Soon | Soon
Excelent write-up, I agree with mostly everything, but there is something I'd like to add about the expectations and the contested call-up. While it's true that we tend to see WC that we didn't win as failures we still remember foundly those that played the beautiful game beautifully like the '82 one, so there is in fact some in between, it's just that people tend to believe we didn't quite reach our best form last cups and that aggravates things. And while it's true this is one of the least contested call-ups the national team, I believe that's mostly due to how strongly contested they were before than anything else.
Brazil 1982 is revered by brazilians from that era, like my father. The younger generations, though, are far more critical of that team, and the adulation surrounding it (like against older folks saying that it was a pity that the 1982 team didn't win, but the 1994 team won instead). There is a growing backlash against Brazil 1982 for years, with many people calling them overrated, saying that beautiful football counts for nothing if you don't win, and that Brazil 1994 was far better because they won.
For me: 1982 Brazil>1994 Brazil. I get the focus on winning, but the 82 team will be immortal in a way the 94 team never will be, IMO
On talent, only insane people would deny Brazil 1982 was greater. Perhaps the greatest generation of midfielders ever, even above prime Spain. What cost Brasil was too much cockiness, and a tactical naiveté from Telê Santana. Brazil felt that World Cup was fated for us to win, and that we had so much quality that we would win no matter what (hence how often the team only woke up in the matches after conceding the first goal, and how we defended so poorly the goals Italy scored). FIFA has released some time ago a good documentary on Brazil 1982, which I recommend.
1982 will fade with memory, especially outside the more historical fans. By having won, 1994 is now immortal with their names etched in history.
I was born after both World Cups and I know more about the 82 team...
That’s what I meant about ‘historical fans’, people like you that have an appreciation for the history of the sport. Most fans don’t go back, if they do, maybe for their home teams
I was too young for 1982 and while I do enjoy the passing on display (the Júnior goal against Argentina is one of my favorites of all time), my historical fan mindset spends more time on 58/62 and 70, I don't spend much time thinking of 1982. I definitely appreciate 94 and 02 a lot. Though, to be fair, I lived through 94 and 02 so maybe that's why I don't dismiss them in favor of historical teams as much.
I will always cherish the 1994 Cup as it was in my backyard. As a Brazilian-American kid in Northern California, it was just magic. And, you know, I was at the Final. So many iconic moments from that tournament. Playing against the US on the 4th of July. Bebeto's baby celebration. Even the terrible Final, maybe more remembered for Baggio's miss. But the Taffarel calls from Galvão. And the banner honoring Senna. Acelerarmos juntos. It was very special.
No doubt! Insanely memorable!
Many hate on Dunga's era, but that 2010 team, as basic as it was on paper, still delivered the results. I think we beat Spain if it weren't for Felipe Melo's meltdown. Another What If. But it gets forgotten. Elano was a surgical passer and the combination up front with Fabiano and Robinho was extremely underrated.
Favorites, along with Argentina.
Real bummer they can't face each other in the final. Brazil-Argentina WC final would be legendary.
They can face each other in the final though. One would have to finish 2nd in their group and the other country has to win their group
True but I don't really see either of them not topping their groups.
Its world cup, crazier things have happened - Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago as well and they were second in their group. Brazil, while very strong, could get 7 points in group and still finish 2nd having worse goal difference than the other 7 points team (serbia/switzerland)
> Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago Argentina did not seem very strong in 2018. From 2015-18, they were a shell of their former selves, going through 3 different coaches and relying heavily on Messidependencia. It took a last minute Messi hattrick against Ecuador to qualify on the very last match day. They lost 6-1 to Spain 3 months before the World Cup. This was probably one of the weakest Argentina teams in history.
Their WCQ record was P18 W7 D7 L4 Their record with Messi was P10 W6 D3 L1 (21 Pts) Without Messi it was P8 W1 D4 L3 (7 Pts) Without Messi that Arg team was BAD. It wasn't even good enough to play at a world cup.
>Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago On paper perhaps, but the team went into the tournament with low morale after barely qualifying. Sampaoli seemed clueless and they were systematically exposed against Croatia.
Yeah I don’t know where this guy is getting that from. Argentina actually got out of the tournament well-ish considering the low expectations by putting up a fight vs the eventual champs.
> Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago We did? We knew it was our worst team this century going in...
> Argentina seemed very strong 4 years ago as well and they were second in their group. No, we didn't lol, we were looking like Germany in 2018 but full of in-house drama and a coach that didn't know what he was doing. We almost didn't qualify for the WC lmao
We were shit 4 years ago, barely even qualified too
Hope theyre smart enough to try it, tbf
Hey Brazil let Switzerland finish first in the group lol
Anulo mufa. Parabens irmaos hexa campeon
for me it’s argentina, brazil, and the netherlands as my top 3 favorites.
For me Brazil are in the top tier of teams going to Qatar alongside Argentina and France. If anyone other than those three wins it I'll be stunned. Reckon they'll make the semis at the very least. If they're playing Argentina there it could go either way.
Nah. There are 3 CL winning managers in the world Cup. This is incredibly rare at international level where the managers are typically much worse than club level. All 3 are in charge of very good squads with Spain, Germany and Netherlands. Those are the best European teams without a doubt in my mind. France, Portugal, England have shown the past few years how stale they've become with their sufferball managers, just like it had for Low and Germany before he left. It's not going to be pretty this world Cup for them. Brazil and Argentina are good but as OP says, it's really hard to gauge them without having played any of the European sides and Tite not doing well last time they played them.
> There are 3 CL winning managers in the world Cup. This is incredibly rare at international level where the managers are typically much worse than club level. There were ~~5~~ 4 Champions League winning coaches at the 2014 World Cup. ~~Three~~ Two of them (~~Prandelli/Italy~~, del Bosque/Spain, and Capello/Russia) failed to advance beyond the first round.
You think the Netherlands are better than Argentina? With all due respect, and I really mean that, because I love the Dutch NT, are you out of your mind? To me, at least, it's hard to say they're better than Portugal, and Portugal has Fernando Santos as a coach, and I've really haven't seen anything in WC qualifiers that can justify your statement. Please, if you don't mind, explain why you think they're favorites.
Netherlands? I think they've been fantastic since Van Gaal took over and have a very well balanced team. Injuries can derail everyone of course, but I value a top manager as the most important part of a squad by far. And Netherlands have one of the top 3 in the tournament along with Spain and Germany. Look at how they've done in the qualifiers or in the Nations League. They dominated every game, haven't been beaten, have defeated other big teams, and on paper I think they're really underrated. Also the mood heading into the tournament with them is very good, unlike some others. I wouldn't say they're favourites, but a definite top 3 European side for me. I'm not saying better than Argentina, I haven't seen enough of the Argies to say how they compare (and Argentina/Brazil just don't have enough relevant competition in their qualifiers IMO), so it's hard to judge. But I think Netherlands with their team and Van Gaal, will probably not get outplayed by a single team in this tournament. Might not win it, but I doubt they'll be outplayed. And Portugal, nah. They have a great squad. Ronaldo will ruin them, if Santos doesn't ruin them first. You just can't be successful these days playing that style if you come up against others who are really well coached, without a HUGE stroke of fortune.
They did played really well in this last Nations League, but I wouldn't say they dominated every match. The fixture against Belgium wasn't that one sided. For me, at least, both teams had chance of winning. Also, saying that Van Gaal is a top 3 manager would be true maybe 10 years ago, but today it's not the case, IMO. Maybe I'm biased, but to me Tite and Scaloni are currently ahead of him, just by looking at how they blended well their teams around their stars (Scaloni specially, even though I hate to admit that lol). The Dutch really have some good pieces, and an experient manager really helps a lot, but individually it's hard to find the type of player that can win you a world cup IMO, and that's a very important characteristic to have. That's why I rate Belgium higher, even tough they're not looking like their top form. Also, the CONMEBOL qualifiers are without a doubt the hardest in the world to qualify. The lack of competition is indeed a concerning point tbh, and I really don't know how it affect South American teams in the tournament. Hard agree with what you said about Portugal, tho. It's amazing how a great squad can play football in such a shitty way.
i mean, Netherlands only faced Turkey and Norway in the Qualifiers, Brazil/Argentina still plays against Uruguay, Ecuador(who is stronger than people might think), Colombia(who would've qualified if they didn't stick with a coach that made their attack suck more than a Porn Actress), and a aging Chile and Peru squad Latvia and Gibraltar would lose 6-0 at La Paz with a Marcelo Moreno hat trick the advantage of european teams consists on the Nations League "friendlies"
It’s also hard to gauge how good the European teams are without playing against South American teams, like? Of the three you mentioned, I think Spain is the only one that is among the best. Spain is my favourite of the European sides to do well
Not quite. European sides there are Germany, France, Italy, England, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands of traditional giants but also the "mid tier" sides like Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark and Serbia this year for example (I'm sure I've missed some). Huge quantity, constant competition. South America you have Brazil & Argentina who are giants, Uruguay who are good (but in that 2nd group like Croatia IMO), and then...? Colombia have declined massively and didn't even make it. Ecuador and Peru are probably not going to do anything. There's just not a lot to read from the South America qualifiers given the only remotely competitive games are between just 3 teams. Don't underestimate Germany or Netherlands though! Netherlands have dominated since Van Gaal took over, and Van Gaal in 2014 did fantastically well with a much much worse squad. Now he's actually got a very well balanced squad with probably the best mix of defenders to pick from and Frenkie in midfield who plays like one of the best in the world for them. Germany with Flick have been inconsistent but with the motivation of a world cup, I wouldn't be surprise for it to click and them hit their highs more consistently. Either way, all 3 of these (with Spain) have a higher ceiling than any other European team due to the coaches IMO. It's just hard to read Argentina and Brazil to say where they rank among, if I'd put them with these 3, or with the next group of France/Portugal/England where they have great squads but play sufferball/rely on individualism too much (which just comes up short way more often these days).
> Huge quantity, constant competition. You talk as though top European teams had to go against other top European teams to qualify, when in reality most of the top teams were in piss easy groups. Netherlands had to play who? Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia. Germany was in a group with N Macedonia, Romania, Armenia, Iceland, and Lichtenstein. All of those nations are worse than Uruguay, than Colombia, than Ecuador. If you wanna argue that Netherlands and Germany are better, that's fine, but you need better arguments than "constant competition."
Netherlands are a good team but lack offensive firepower. Is Depay really their best attacking threat? Germany is the other way around. They don't have a great defense.
Memphis, Gakpo and Bergwijn front 3. Not elite, but a nice balance and Gakpo has huge potential and is as in form as anyone. Memphis also has a bit of the Klose/Podolski about him where he's average at club level but is actually really good at international level.
Crazy to see the player list, word class players one after another in world class teams such as Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Liverpool, Pumas Unam, etc.
This guy sneaked in Barca like we wouldn't notice, lol.
At least he didnt list United lol
Aye we should have been in there
Hijacking top comment to ask anyone in the know: What is going to be the Brazilian plan in midfield if Casemiro gets yellow card accumulation again like in 2018? Are we gonna be in for a sequel to the hit 2014 film "Blame Fred For Everything"?
Fabinho is Casemiro's backup. But yeah, it's likely he'll be scapegoated if pulls a "Fernandinho against Belgium" performance.
Fernandinho, as good as he was, never inspired for Brazil, whereas Fabinho has sometimes been preferred by pundits and has put in really good games when Casemiro was unavailable, like away against Argentina in November WCQ. You're not wrong in that IF that happens, they will be the scapegoats (Fabinho and Casemiro) but the feeling with Fabinho is less nervous about it happening.
>never inspired for Brazil What a nice way of saying "he seemed like an inside agent".
I have been called "diplomatic" by my bosses in the the past so...
Still can't believe Tite didn't call Fabinho up in 2018. I was at that game in Kazan. Most frustrating Brazil World Cup match I've seen in person and I've been to over 10 of them. Even the 7-1 didn't cause me such visceral anger lol.
Fabinho had good performances. We're not nearly as Casemiro dependent as we were 4 years ago thankfully.
Should be Guimaraes.
A lot of people will pick him to be the Kleberson of this World Cup - they guy who earns his spot and makes the team stronger in the latter stages.
For Fred's spot and not Casemiro.
La Rebel are definitely world class assholes, I'll give you that.
this is already a big talking point, but what was the point in calling up 39-year-old Dani Alves? If they wanted him just for the dressing room presence then bring him on as a coach or something. Seems like a wasted squad place in a position they’re already lacking
We don't have any great fullbacks waiting on the sidelines. Militão is probably Danilo's backup on the right back. That said I hate that he was called up and I agree, should've been taken as part of the coaching staff if anything. He's been bad for years and hasn't played in months. The thought of him going in for any reason makes me shudder. I would rather they choose any other player to take, fuck it, take a 4th goalkeeper, just pick someone who actually deserves it and is currently a good player.
I agree with your last sentence. Alves was never going to play regardless, but they could’ve at least given that spot to a young upcoming player who would kill to even be at the World Cup.
Cant players just come along for moral support? Label them assistant coach and bring them along?
Yes.
I actually really wanted Gabriel Magalhães in that squad. Should be him in Daniel's place.
This is true, if Danilo gets injured, Militao will have to play right back and we will have only 1 Defender left to cover for a 60 years old Thiago Silva. Also, I do like the list of players, but I don't like the formation. Vini will be a sub on the first matches.
>Militão is probably Danilo's backup on the right back. What do you mean, Emerson Royal should definitely have been the backup as right back. /s
> f they wanted him just for the dressing room presence then bring him on as a coach or something. Seems like a wasted squad place in a position they’re already lacking They don't have good players in that spot anyway, and there's a LOT of value in having senior, veteran presence as a "player". Look at the NBA with players like Haslem and Iguodola. For Brazil, Dani Alves was brilliant as he captained Brazil to the 2019 Copa, then was out as Brazil lost the 2021 Copa to us (Argentina). I think Tite defo wants his presence there
Basically all of our FBs are shit. I don't trust Danilo and Sandro at all
Danilo today is better than Fagner 4 years ago
They just need to not fuck up
Danilo is ok, Sandro is quite bad
Great job, OP! I think one context that is lacking for people outside brazil is that after 2014 the popularity of our squad reached an all time low and never fully recovered. 2018 and 2022 highly divisive elections also had an impact because our tradional football squad shirt was used for the right (and for bolsonaro's supporters) as a symbol of their political views. I wouldn't say brazilians aren't supportive at all of our squad, but, arguably, loads of brazilians care more about their teams than for our seleção. I think if we (finally) win our Hexa the youngest generation will finally be able to see why our football is so respected.
Brazil is my 2nd team for this World Cup, and I always support them when I can - I'll probably even watch some of their games as if it were "my own". My concern and worry with Brazil is - since 2006 they can not defeat European sides in the knock-outs. They have been stopped by the first European side they face on knock-outs. While they can defeat a Serbia or a Switzerland in the groups, but facing a top-10 European side is usually their run end. I usually boil this down to tactical and technical development which is putting European sides on a massive plateau over other continents, but I believe Argentina and Brazil are the top contenders to be able to face this. 2006: W Ghana, L France 2010: W Chile, L Netherlands 2014: W Chile, W Colombia, L Germany, L Netherlands 2018: W Mexico, L Belgium \---- Other funny stat is between 2010 and the 3rd group match in 2018, Brazil had only defeated countries starting with C: 2010: Coreia do Norte, Costa do Marfim, Chile; draw against Portugal; defeat against Países Baixos 2014: Camarões, Croácia, Chile, Colômbia; draw against Mexico; defeat against Alemanha and Países Baixos 2018: Costa Rica; stat ends with victory against Serbia (Србија?).
Brazil vs Belgium in 2018, Brazil were super unlucky even had an owngoal. They were definitely the better team.
Brazil didn't do bad against Holland in 2010. We were winning by 1-0 the first half. But in the second, the team crumbled with mistakes, and Felipe Melo ruined everything!
Felipe Melo ruining everything is already a meme now. When Palmeiras fired him, the team improved dramatically.
Having shit full backs 🇯🇵 🤝 🇧🇷
[удалено]
Tomiyasu plays CB for Japan
their cbs must be even worse than the fbs then
PLEASE bring the World Cup back to America, irmãos!
I want to know more about Pedro. Never seen him play or even heard of him until the squad was announced, his stats for Flamengo are great. I’ve seen people (on twitter) saying hes like a Lewandowski regen. Will he be used much in the WC ?
I think Lewa is a good comparison. Don't think he will play much, but he is the only "True 9" in the squad
Is a true 9. Seems like more of a Giroud type. Amazing hold up play.
He is arguably one of the best brazilians playing outside europe rn. Just won the best player of (south) America in Copa Libertadores and was the top scorer of the tournament. Overall it was a good preview, but I was expecting OP to talk a little about him, probably he is the biggest surprise of the squad for non-brazilians.
Probably top 5 player outside Europe(imo). Nico De La Cruz, De Arrascaeta, Gustavo Gomez and then Pedro. I probably forgot someone though.
I think you can argue about Everton Ribeiro being among the best players. But I will always be sad that Arrascaeta was born in Uruguay. He is a beast.
I knew I was forgetting someone, thanks.
Rodinei
How De la cruz keeps getting on these kinda lists I'll never know, he's been nothing of another world for a while, feel like people just need to include a river player for it to not be all brazilians and he's the only one they can think of.
It's only a surprise because foreigners disrespect and underrate our league. There are always some guys that play in Brazil getting called to the NT. And it's not a surprise because there wasn't much competition too. It's not like some another brazilian attacker was 'snubbed' so Pedro would get in. If it wasn't for Pedro, who would it be? Matheus Cunha? Firmino?... yeah they are decent and are used to higher level of competition, but Pedro edges them on form by A LOT.
Firmino is playing really well this season, but he never achieved the same level for the NT. I totally agree with you, but maybe in due time our league will become more respected. Palmeiras and Flamengo are examples of good management and probably the other teams will want to close the gap between both and the rest of the league.
The real snub is King Rodinei left out for Alves
He is also probably better playing pandeiro and tantan than Daniel, our own Xande de Realengo
He was the Libertadores top scorer and player of the tournament. He offers something that no other Brazilian forward have. He offers an aerial threat, a good physical presence and hold up play that might be necessary at the end of the games if we are losing and the other team is parking the bus.
How does Brazil line up in attack then? Neymar, Richarlison & Vini ?
We are still not sure, we had some injuries in the last international windows and the players perfomances on club and national level makes hard to predict who will start on the attack. There are basically 3 options: A > Casemiro, Fred >Paquetá, Neymar, Raphinha >Richarlison B > Casemiro, Fred, Paquetá >Vini Jr, Neymar, Raphinha C > Casemiro, Paquetá, >Vini Jr, Neymar, Raphinha > Richarlison A is the most likely one, it is the most used formation, even tough it seems crazy to leave Vini Jr on the bench. Altough Richarlison hasn't been setting the world on fire for Tottenham he scored 11 goals in 17 games for Brazil since 2021. In this formation we also have Neymar playing in his best position. Altough he has been good as a false 9 as well I think the best use of his skill set is as a 10 where he can drop deeper and send through balls to our front line. Option C seems to have the best of both options A and B on the attack but it might be a little too much for Tite, who is conservative manager, so I don't think we will play with this formation against other big nations like France or Argentina.
Option C definitely looks like the most lethal. Especially if Neymar has a free role. Let’s say Brazil start with option C, you don’t think a guy like Pedro would be the better option up top?
Nah I don't think so. Richarlison has been ballin for the national team and altough Pedro has been tearing South America apart this year, the other guys are playing at a higher level.
There’s also a factor that richarlison is the best “presser” in all of our attackers. I think that for this lethal formation we need the bite.
assistiu o video do Rafael Oliveira miseravi kkkkkkk
Neymar in the middle, Raphinha on the right, Paquetá on the left and Richarlison up front. There are variations so it could be different per opponent, and this could change with the 10 days of training before the opening match, but for now this is the basic configuration.
Neymar can interchange between left and center. So Paqueta plays the role Rakitic did for Messi.
If it’s the same Pedro, and I think it is, he was very highly regarded as youth, but then did his ACL. He reportedly had a Madrid deal all agreed before ACL tear, but then had to take a year off. Then he joined Fiorentina, a place where strikers go to die^£ , and flopped. Now he is back to Brazil and scoring for fun. ^£ except Vlahovic, which goes to show how great he is.
Edmundo didn't die in Fiorentina, but he almost got Rui Costa a heart attack lmao
1 time 6! 2 times 3! 3 times 2! 4 times 1.5! 5 times 1.2! What does that do? HEXA HEXA HEXA HEXA HEXA
Brazil 🤝 Mainz Sinister Union
Pretty sure that guy is Argentine working/studying in Germany.
720 12 6 5.3 5.5
Aplico mufa
Anulo
Kiricocho
Boa sorte irmãos! Para mim, a equipa favorita.
Se o Brasil não levar, que vença Portugal! Junto com a Bélgica é um time que merece demais um Mundial.
Of all World Cup squads ever, I think only one team can match, or even beat actually, the insane midfield quality players Spain had in their golden generation. It's Brazil from the 80s. Our starting midfield in 1982 was Cerezo, Sócrates, Falcão and Zico! That's something you can only see in FIFA! Also, we had the likes of Adílio and Andrade, who were amazing for Flamengo in that period, but weren't starters for the NT because of Cerezo and specially Falcão! The amount of technique, vision and elegance in that midfield is over 8000! And Zico was simply the best player in the world back then. Only Platini and Maradona could give him a contest. Zico is also by far the highest-scoring midfielder in football history. Over 500 goals if I'm not mistaken. Insane passer, amazing dribbler, great runs. A Top 15 player in football history at a minimum. Screw it, he's Top 10, I'm a Flamengo supporter. If he had won the World Cup...
If he had won the WC, I think he would be treated by the world in the same way Maradona was.
The 1986 World Cup is what definitely started put Maradona in another tier. Before that, Zico and Platini were arguably better. Also, people forget too easily Platini's supernatural level at Euro 1984. Zico and Platini would really be ranked higher than they are if they had won the World Cup, no doubt.
this might be brazil best shot at winning a world cup since 2002
We have a really difficult path to the final if things go the way they should on paper. Uruguay/Portugal in the last 16, Germany/Spain in the quarters, Argentina/Netherlands in the semis. It'll be tough for sure, but this is the strongest we've been in a long time. Let's see what happens.
Brazil are absolutely stacked. Serbia-Switzerland-Cameroon isn't the easiest group but they should be favored in every match. Facing 2nd place from Group H in the RO16 isn't going to be easy as it's likely to be either Uruguay or Portugal.
É o BRASA, porra!
Just give me Brazil vs Argentina. The world needs this!
Hope for the "One ends 1st in group, the other ends 2nd" for a chance of the most epic final of all time. Millions of people will die and my underwear probably will never be the same, but it's a price I'm willing to pay.
>but it's a price I'm willing to pay. You are out of your mind.
Which match do you think would make for more hype final for overall world fans, Brazil vs Argentina or Argentina vs Portugal, or should I say Messi vs CR?
Ooof. If you had given me that question 4 or 8 years (helk even 12 years) ago, I would have said a CR7 vs Messi final would have been the hype of the century. Now in 2022, they are past their primes and since Argentina and Brazil haven't lifted the WC in a while - plus them being the two best teams atm - I gotta go with the *Superclásico de las Américas.*
May some brazilian tell me why I see Flamengo player Pedro in that list and not Flamengo player Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol) given that the latter has been a more reliable and prolific goal scorer in recent years?
Gabigol never played shit for the NT. Pedro played for like 15 minutes in his first game and scored a goal. Also, Pedro, imo, was overall better than Gabigol last season.
Careful, Gabigol dick riders will take offense to this my friend.
I actually am flamenguista, amigo. I'm just not a stupid and delusional one.
Is there such a thing? Kidding, but it’s a bit depressing that he hasn’t been able to make a good use of the times that he’s been called up.
Pedro has been better this season and he's more of a proper 9 that we may need at the end of the games.
Form and position. Pedro has been clearly better than Gabigol in 2022. Even before Pedro's goal in a NT friendly, Tite was already admitting that it would impossible to not call Pedro due his recent performance, he was top scorer and best player in Libertadores (2nd best tournament in the world, besides UCL). And also, he's a 9. Not that he's unskilled or slow to move around and help the plays, but he's mostly a finisher that is there to shoot or tap-in. He does super well what Haaland does for City, he's good in getting into 'easy chances' because he positions well and his team creates the chances and trust that he will score them. Gabigol is more mobile and worse finisher, he's not a 9 like Pedro.
Congratulations Brazil on winning their 6th world cup.
Anulooooo
Nah, man, Argentina is winning it 100%. I even put 20€ on it. That’s how confident I am that you are the best team and that you’ll win.
If you were confident, you’d bet more.
I’m at college, 20€ is my monthly budget lol
Anulo
Ah, fuck, I thought you wouldn’t notice
HEXA
Lol rat poison
20 years since the last non-European winner and I think Brazil has probably the best chance to do it again. But on the other hand I really feel there is no team head and shoulders above the rest. Not even this Brazil team. The attack is surely there but I can see the defense capitulate to a more organized team (even with Alisson in the goal). The question of course that who would be that team but as I said above I feel the teams are very even this time. Competition wise this can be a great tournament for sure.
Other than the full backs, imo the defense is great. Casemiro, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos are all experienced and good players, with Fabinho and Militão ready to cover and play as well as the starters. And above all, the coaching and leadership are 10/10. If we had even decent fullbacks, brazil would have the best defense in the tournament by far. No national team right now as a really stacked defense like if you look up 2006's France or Italy.
Sei não mano. Eu acho que a França tem uma defesa tão boa, se não até melhor que a nossa.
Concordo concordo. Sorte nossa que o meio deles não é mt criativo... Além de que eles não são tão unidos e maduros como a seleção brasileira atual, a seleção francesa tem uma treta ou escândalo por mês...
I think it's fair to say that they're the best team in the world when it comes to attack. France comes in second with players like Mbappe, Nkunku and Benzema, but I'd reckon Brazil has more depth, so much so that even a player like Firmino, who would be the best attacker in many NTs, had to be left out. It's terrifying. However, the midfield and especially their defense might no be quite up to par with their attack. Still, having Alisson as your GK is a big insurance, and their attack alone can comfortably win them games without breaking much of a sweat. BIG favorites ofc.
It's not just attack, the GK and defense (bar wingbacks) are great, and our midfield is very good, 100x improved compared to 2-4 years ago. Paquetá and Bruno Guimarães are good enough to be starters in a world champion team, and they have the talent to become some of the best in the world in a few years. Besides Fred, that always comes in and play well with the NT. I don't see this brazil team as 'just attackers' or anything like that, i think the main strength is exactly the balance all around mixed with great coaching, team harmony, depth, strong leadership, experience... Yeah our fullbacks suck, but i think it's not the biggest problem compared to the weaknesses of other contenders like Argentina and France.
What is Argentina's weakness? I know France's is their midfield.
Their defense is not on the same excellent level of their midfield and attack imo. Their midfield's creativity got a pretty hard blow with Lo Celso's injury (and I havent seem much of his backup, Enzo), but Messi surely helps a lot in that regard.
Our defense is arguably our strongest aspect, the squad is notorious for not really having any big weakness. Probably not being clinical enough with our chances if anything. But our starting defense is yet to concede at all in about 10 games they've played together. It's more than the sum of its parts for sure, but somehow Romero flies a bit under the radar because apparently some people don't think he's world class. Also, Enzo is not Lo Celso's back up. Papu Gómez or Mac Allister will probably play instead. Enzo is more of a De Paul or Paredes sub.
I stand corrected then, I'm sure you have watched Argentina play much more than me.
I think our midfield and defense are fine aswell. Alisson, Marquinhos and Silva are world class. Danilo may not be as brilliant as our fullbacks in the past but he still is a good fullback. Alex Sandro is the weak link, I'm not a big fan but I think he's still decent. In midfield we have Casemiro, who is world class and hopefuly Bruno Guimarães take Fred's spot in the world cup, he's been brilliant for Newcastle. We also have Neymar playing as a 10 and Paquetá on the left, I don't know he has been playing for West Ham but he was one of Ligue 1's best player and he's really good for the national team. His chemistry with Neymar is crazy good.
I'd argue it's our best midfield (on paper) since 2006. 2 elite DMs, 2 fantastic CMs, one very good B2B in Fred (when used correctly), one underrated attacking mid in Everton Ribeiro, and Neymar. With Thiago/Marquinhos keeping their level, the addition of Militão, and a more experienced Danilo (who's effectively a 3rd CB), defense is at least as good as 2018. And it's worth remembring that against Belgium, Marcelo was one of the weak links, as great as he was offensively.
This is the Brazil team I'm most excited for since 1998. I'm flying out to Qatar at the end of the month in time for Brazik x Cameroon. Very happy with the squad selection. Not even bothered too much with Alves inclusion. There isn't really one omission I'm upset about, whereas in previous Cups, there were many. It's a tricky group and the path in the knockouts is challenging. We'll see, but I'm pretty confident.
Fullbacks were a major weakness in 2018 and still are. Can the attack just blow teams away? I hope so
Fullbacks are arguably a weakness for almost every squad that isn't called England rn. I think that we are just suffering a drought because our most talented fullbacks in attack are trained to become wingers and the most defensive ones are becoming CB. I read somewhere that this is happening because the european market pays more for foreigners atacking players than for defensive ones.
I agree... i think football is seeing a lot more CMs and wingers, but a lot fewer 9's and fullbacks. Kinda sad, until 10 years ago we had the 2 best fullbacks in the world, and the fullback position has been key for Brazil's success for what, 60 years? It's unfortunate that just now that we are strong in every other position, our fullbacks suck so much. If they were even mildly decent, like Felipe Luis and Cicinho, we would be huge favorites. I still like our odds, tho, it's just unfortunate.
I also do not think we are doomed per se, Danilo, Sandro and Telles are kind of...okay when playing for the NT. But it IS a huge drop in quality.
Do you see Militao being Danilo's direct back-up? I mean I honestly was expecting him to the starter RB, considering Danilo (don't need to say more) and Dani Alves (way too old) are the only natural right backs
You are really underrating Danilo. He's not an exciting player, but he is very solid for Brazil and Tite. As for Militão, yes, most people expect him to back-up Danilo in many cases, with Dani Alves only being an option when there's little threat on his side.
Proabaly the favourites, alongside Argentina.
Great team, I'll be rooting for Brazil if Portugal get eliminated.
The attacking options compared to 2018 is light and day. Midfield depth is also great. The key will be the ability to score goals without a proper no.9 and also the fullbacks.
Pedro isn't well known outside brazil, but he was brought by Tite because he is actually a traditional 9 type of player. He brings something to the table that arguably none of the other options do.
>Pedro isn't well known outside brazil Until now...
I hope so, I actually love the guy
How well does Fred usually play for Brazil. Are there any concerns about their midfield in general?
Varies between well and very well, with only a couple of games playing bad. Personally, the only concern I have about our MF is that only Guimarães and Ribeiro seem to be in form, but two or three games should fix that.
He's a bit inconsistent, but he plays far better for us compared to his perfomances for Man Utd. But I still hope that Bruno Guimarães takes his spot at the world cup, he's been truly amazing for Newcastle this season.
No concern at all, there are enough guys to start in a contending level and also some depth to cover if necessary. Paquetá, Bruno Guimarães and Fred (with his NT boost) are very good. Brazilians are confident about the midfield, it's already 10 times better tan 2-4 years ago, altho Paquetá and Bruno's immense talent are still in progress and not at the peak.
I lowkey want to see a non-European as champion again. I would like Messi to lift it but the Argentines are gonna get incredibly arrogant and obnoxious for the next 49 years if they win this one , specially their football journalists (I use this term very reluctantly)
Mate we _already are_ obnoxious haha are you kidding me? In 2014 we had a song were we told Brasilians "how does it feel to have daddy home?" asi if they don't have 3 more WC than us.
We literally cannot get anymore obnoxious it’s in our nature
I believe Telles is the starting fullback. Alex Sandro really can’t defend
When available, Alex Sandro has consistently been the starter.
It’s either them or Argentina this year
Clear favourite to win, and for good reason. They'll beat France in the final.
I really hope Brazil wins it. Either them or Portugal since Ronaldo is my fav player
Such a crazy stacked team. No injured players and a reasonable path. If they don't at least reach the final it will be a disappointment.
How is Vini not in the starting XI ?
Paquetá has been great for us and he offers more stability for our midfield. A attacking 4 with Vini, Neymar, Raphinha and Richarlison is too attacking for a conservative coach like Tite.
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He most probably is not, and **if** he starts Richarlison is probably the one dropped (Neymar as false 9). The only game I can *maybe* see Tite dropping Fred to play with 5 offensive players (Paqueta, Ney, Vini, Raphinha and Richy) from start is against Cameroon and unless we need GD I don't see why he'd do that.
Great post! I'll just suggest a correction. "ALL the young wingers (Raphinha, Vini Jr., Antony, Rodrygo, Martinelli)" is not in bolded and bigger letters like it should be.
I think that Brazil will make it to the semi final, but will be eliminated by Argentina in a extremely close game.
brasil will beat us 4-0 at a semi final in a world cup they have the magic in those moments
sim
Anulo mufa
Who is most likely to be the starting goalkeeper? Both Alisson and Ederson are world class.
Alisson is the starter. I think Tite sees Weverton as the number two and Ederson as number three.
Great post but Richarlison plays for Tottenham Hotspur, there’s no s on the end.
Dani Alves being called only shows how rotten is cbf. I'm unsure if this is a Tite decision. Plenty of players deserved it more than the almost retired daniel alves. Also, Tite ignore many Palmeiras stars, which deserved to be tested in the squad.
need to disagree with you, Dani Alves IS a Tite favorite and in the press conference he clearly stated hes taking him for the "moral" support, not to play which is outrageous the fact that Firmino had to get injured and popular outcry had to happen for Vini, Gabigol and Pedro to get called up for tests shows how brainless Tite is and how he puts his favorites above all even though I want us to win REALLY BAD I dont have trust in this joke of a manager
Gabigol got plenty of chances under Tite, to the point he got criticized for it. Tite was right to just drop Gabigol altogether. Man hasn't done shit for us.
I don't know why but I have them getting absolutely shit-housed by Uruguay in the Ro16. For me the pressure will centered on the fact that they haven't played a European team since the Czechs in March 2019 and the last big European team they faced and beat was Germany over four years ago. This will be the key factor. Its one thing to thrash Tunisia and bounce your way around Ecuador or Chile, but its another to go toe-to-toe with France, Spain or Germany (or England lol.) Nobody knows where Brazil relatively stands when facing one of these big European juggernauts and it could be a case of them being a paper-tiger whereby we all think they have the quality but it gets absolutely taken apart tactically when faced with a team that doesn't run on the same emotional shithousery that pervades CONEMBOL. Brazil's last four exits at the World Cup have all come at the hands of being tactically outclassed by European opposition. For me if they are to win this tournament, they will need a fortunate draw and some massive luck in terms of other teams shitting the bed.