Brazil are undoubtedly probably the most well-known footballing nation on the earth, with Joga Bonito birthing a number of the recreation’s most charming and iconic gamers over the previous century.
With 5 World Cups to their title, Brazil have dominated the worldwide stage, which makes their present droop in type one of many largest footballing shocks in latest occasions.
So how did a rustic that prides itself on soccer discover itself on the point of World Cup exile simply twenty years after reaching the top for the fifth time?
Gilberto Silva celebrates Brazil’s World Cup win in 2002. (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Brazil stand on the point of catastrophe
An underwhelming Copa America quarter-final exit by the hands of Uruguay got here as a shock to many, with a star-studded squad limping by way of the group stage earlier than a toothless efficiency noticed them eradicated, though this was simply the spotlight of what had been a poor yr for the Selecao.
Alongside Argentina because the continent’s major footballing powerhouse, Brazil’s qualification to every World Cup is seen as a formality earlier than the league part even begins.
Two wins from two to get the present marketing campaign underway advised extra of the identical for Dorival Júnior.
Vinicius Jr carries the hopes of a nation on his again (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
Nevertheless, 4 video games later and Brazil now occupy the ultimate qualification spot after a run of 1 draw and three defeats has seen them plummet to sixth spot, simply two factors above seventh-placed Paraguay.
Defeats to Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia surrounded a draw to Venezuela as the same old confidence of the Brazilian followers rapidly descending into panic.
A tough house recreation towards and Ecuador aspect boasting Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincape is subsequent up for the five-time world champions earlier than a visit to Paraguay for a conflict which might have enormous implications for the qualification probabilities of either side.
The three qualification video games misplaced to this point already constitutes because the groups second-highest tally of all time, regardless of having performed solely six of the 18 whole video games (The aspect misplaced six video games on the best way to the 2002, which they gained).
Brazil have been an ever-present at World Cup tournaments ever because the inaugural 1930 competitors. Failure to qualify can be seen as nothing wanting a disaster.
Ronaldinho is without doubt one of the nation’s most well-known gamers (Picture credit score: Alamy)
Issues obtained so dangerous over the summer time that footballing hero ronaldinho publicly states he wouldn’t be watching the nationwide aspect at Copa America because of the downturn in performances.
“I’m not going watch a single recreation,” he advised Brazilian YouTube channel Cartoloucos . “They lack the whole lot. Grit, pleasure, good soccer.
“I’m going to desert Brazil. Issues aren’t going nicely. The workforce lacks grit, dedication, the whole lot.
“That is it, guys. I’m executed. This can be a unhappy second for everybody who likes Brazilian soccer.
“It’s laborious to get excited to see the video games. This is perhaps one of many worst groups of latest years. There are not any revered leaders, solely a majority of mediocre gamers.
“I’ve adopted soccer since I used to be a child, lengthy earlier than I ever thought of changing into a participant, and I’ve by no means seen a state of affairs as dangerous as this. There’s a lack of affection for the shirt.
“There’s a scarcity of grit and a very powerful factor: good soccer. I repeat: our performances have been a number of the worst I’ve ever seen. Shameful. For that purpose, I declare I’m abandoning the workforce.
“I can’t watch a single Copa America match and I gained’t have a good time a single victory.”
Extra Brazil tales
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