On November 8, Five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil announced their 26-member World Cup squad for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar from November 20. Brazilian head coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, known as Tite, selected his 26-man team to represent the country in the much-anticipated tournament.
The list includes;
Three (3) goalkeepers
Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Ederson (Manchester City)
Weverton (Palmeiras)
Eight (8) defenders
Danilo (Juventus)
Dani Alves (Pumas)
Alex Sandro (Juventus)
Alex Telles (Sevilla)
Thiago Silva (Sevilla)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
Bremer (Juventus)
Six (6) midfielders
Casemiro (Manchester United)
Fabinho (Liverpool)
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
Fred (Manchester United)
Lucas Paqueta (Westham)
Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)
Nine (9) attackers
Neymar (PSG)
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Antony (Manchester City)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Richarlison (Tottenham)
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
Pedro (Flamengo)
Frustration after elite players missed the world cup in Qatar
The team selection brought joy to many Brazilian footballers who got lucky to be picked. However, some huge names missed the list, including Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who has performed at a top level for Arsenal this season. Gabriel scored the only winning goal for Arsenal on the weekend when they played Chelsea at Stamford bridge.
Despite scoring six goals (6) and assisting three (3) after twelve matches (12) in the PL this season, Liverpool’s no. 9 Roberto Firmino failed to make the list. Firmino had the most goals among the PL attackers called up for the Brazil national team, outscoring Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, and Richarlison. Richarlison got called up despite having zero (0) goals in the PL this season and two (2) assists. Firmino went out to social media to express his anger.
Atletico Madrid forward Matheus Cunha was also not included in the squad; following his transfer to Atletico from Hertha Berlin, many Brazilian argued he could’ve moved to another European club since Simeone’s style of play doesn’t suit him. Matheus was evidently disgruntled by his exclusion, and his reaction after the realization said it all.
Gabriel Barbosa also missed the squad; the Flamengo striker wasn’t Tite’s choice despite shining in the Copa Libertadores final and scoring the winning goal against Athletic Paranaense.
Excitement all round following call-up news
Every Brazilian player called up for the national team was gassed up, including Neymar, who already knew, not only getting called up to Brazil’s squad but representing the team at a world cup is one of the biggest goals for most Brazilians growing up. Most of the players posted videos of their reactions on the internet. Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was over the moon after earning his first world cup call. He has been arguably one of the outstanding midfielders in the premier league this season.
Brazil’s style of play
Samba is Brazil’s signature playing style. Samba dance, an identifier of Brazilian gameplay, entails leg movement with knee bending. There is an imperceptible movement of the feet, which, when mixed with a ball, equates to dribbling. In a bid to match Germany’s gameplay, Brazil divulged from full flair samba. This was meant to be a remediation after they lost seven nil to the European opponent in the 2014 cup, but it didn’t work well for Brazil. The team lost its balance, implicating further failures.
They have now resorted to restoring the style for the forthcoming cup. We also need to bear in mind the unique composition of the squad. Tite has Utility players like Neymar can serve both as a winger and number 10. His natural spot, the LW, can be taken by the brilliant young talents Vini Jr. and Martinelli.
Age balance
Dani Alves, currently at 39 years, breaks the “oldest Brazilian” in the world cup record. Djalma Santos has held this record for 25 years since he played the tournament at 37 years in 1997. An exciting aspect of the squad is that several players will have their final chance at the tournament and bring the glory home. Thiago Silva, currently 38 years is one such player.
Also Read:
- Sam Allardyce (Big Sam): The sweet and sour chronicles of sit-back-and-defend coaches.
- Sean Dyche: The sweet and sour chronicles of sit back and defend coaches.
- Captain Harry Maguire, the victim to daily online onslaught
Will Brazil bag their 6th world cup?
After losing to Argentina in the Copa America final, Brazil went on fifteen (15) games winning streak; their world cup squad is stacked with talents. They are the favorites to win the world cup this year. Brazil set a new World Cup qualifying record with 45 points, Tite’s team broke Argentina’s record of 43, which was set in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup” The Qatari climate is likely to favor teams from the tropical countries.