Why Brazil Can’t Win The World Cup

When you think of the great teams in sports through the years, they have really transcended their sports and become almost like institutions unto themselves. The New Zealand All-Blacks in rugby union, the Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United teams, these organisations all had one thing in common, an invincibility trait. Sure you might be able to knock them down, but you just knew they would always get back up off the canvas to prevail in the end. Brazil, with their iconic yellow jerseys, are another such example. For decades they were both the standard bearers of attractive football, but also getting results, having won a record five World Cups to date. So why does this team feel different then?

Have we put too much pressure on Neymar to succeed too soon in his career? Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Romario, Ronaldinho, Claudio Taffarel, Dunga, this list could literally go on for pages and we haven’t even mentioned Pele. The point is, usually their teams are stuffed with larger than life players, icons. Putting it bluntly, this current incarnation lacks that star power. Now, by no means are they a bad side, they are too good for that. But it is almost like, with the World Cup being held in Brazil, they are trying too hard to make legends out of players who have not achieved that status yet.

Take Neymar for example, the poster boy of the competition. A phenom at Santos, his first year in Barcelona was a bit of a disappointment to some. Actually this wasn’t the case, Neymar played really well in a team full of more accomplished individuals, but also happened to be overshadowed by a Real Madrid team that was hell bent on glory this season. Making him Brazil’s savior is as silly as it is dangerous. He will not be the tournament’s top scorer, and he will not be the best player there. That is not to say he’ll have a bad tournament, far from it, but when you place your hopes in one player, you cannot win. Just look at Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal and Lionel Messi with Argentina. They alone cannot win you the World Cup.

As for the rest of the squad, again there’s a lot of talent no question, but can it win you the World Cup? In midfield, Oscar, Ramires and Willian, who all play for Chelsea. All three are fantastic players, and a fair point to bring up now is that we do not see the best of their individual skill enough because of the system deployed by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Nevertheless, do you think this midfield can win you the greatest prize of all? Now I can hear you crying out to me, saying that these players may not necessarily start for Brazil, and that is true.

Elsewhere in midfield for this team, where games are won by the way, we have Paulinho who has come off of a decent individual spell with Tottenham Hotspur, but was a part of a club that could not highlight his talents in a positive way enough. Hernanes is twenty-nine, and got five goals and four assists in thirty-one games for club Inter Milan this year, not inspiring stuff either. Similarly, Luis Gustavo plodded along at Wolfsburg. Fernandinho caught the eye for club Manchester City when he played, and in fact could be this team’s unlikely hero when the time comes.

Other than that, the attack is uninspiring with the streaky former Man City hitman Jo a choice to play up front. Fred is another option, and he was last effective playing for Lyon what seems like a generation ago. Of course Hulk can turn it on, and could be the big threat for this team. Defensively, Dante can be a liability and David Luiz has a habit of thinking he’s an attacking midfielder as he bursts up the pitch. Dani Alves is always going to be reliable, as is the rock that is Thiago Silva. Marcelo of Real Madrid, well he’s a madman, but a talented one in fairness. Likely number one Julio Cesar now plays with Toronto FC, which tells the story in itself.

Breaking the team down, you would be hard pressed to think this team could win the whole thing. Certainly on paper Spain, Germany and even Argentina look the more complete article. Some will point to Brazil’s hammering of Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup Final last year, and that’s a valid point. They won’t roll over, but when the time comes to win a close game, do they have that kind of gutsy performance within them? Also on their side is the fact that, of the eight World Cups held in North and South America, and American team has won. Also worth noting is the fact Luis Felipe Scolari is head coach once more, and he will absolutely get the best out of this team.

This is not ragging on Brazil, they are far too talented a nation of footballers for that. But you’re lying if you think these guys even come close to the incarnations of old. They open the summer of football against Croatia. Expect a tough game and some solid counter-attacking play from the European side who will show no fear in the contest. Casual fans love them, and they are many bookies’ favorites to win the competition given the hype surrounding them, but if you’re being honest with yourself, would you put your money on them to win?