Neymar Jr Leads Brazilian Team Mates In Game of Table Tennis Football
Neymar Jr leads Brazilian team-mates in a fun game of table-tennis football. It makes sense that a lot of athletes like this would enjoy playing some sort of athletic game while they have some free time. This might not be the first game that people will think of when they imagine the likes of Dani Alves, Philippe Coutinho, and Gabriel Jesus playing together. However, it seems that table-tennis football can be a great bonding exercise for all of these men.
This actually happened during a training session. Obviously, even during a training session, players like this are going to need to blow off steam to a certain extent. However, people might actually interpret the table-tennis football as part of the training session that all of the players wanted. After all, it is possible for plenty of people to be able to enjoy games while still getting a lot of benefits from them logistically.
People do learn through playing, even though this is something that a lot of individuals try to deny at different points. It’s important for everyone involved to really explore different ways of excelling at a sport.
The fact that Brazil is doing so well right now in the real games should make it that much clearer that these informal sessions and games are working. A lot of people are finding it easier to just enjoy themselves, knowing that Brazil is doing much better than Uruguay at present. Some people might even interpret the table-tennis football game as a gesture of confidence and dominance.
It demonstrates that all of the people involved are interested in being able to show everyone that they feel so great that they can actually spend their training sessions just playing games that are not strictly going to help them become better athletes. Of course, it is still possible for most people to use table-tennis football to their advantage when it comes to a wide range of different athletic activities.
At websites like the Royal Vegas online casino, a lot of people will surely be betting on Brazil. They’re doing well enough that it might seem unwise to bet against them. However, there have been plenty of situations where teams seemed to be doing well and then became overly confident. This is a pattern that could repeat itself again, of course. If it does, then people are going to look back on this table-tennis football game in a particular way.
Of course, people also might look back on the table-tennis football game in a purely positive way as well. They might see it as a sign that a lot of people are going to succeed against all odds in their sport of choice if they just learn to relax when necessary. It looks like this is a team that knows how to do that. Some people might say that the team members still look overconfident. However, their confidence will look that much more reasonable in retrospect if they do end up succeeding as well as a lot of people think.
Ways to combine the most interesting Champions League matches
Sports Events 365 announces recommendations for sport tourists: Ways to combine the most interesting Champions League matches
The UEFA Champions League generates an estimated €237 million tourism and travel revenue from 778,700 travelers – 264,000 by plane, 272,500 by rail, and 241,400 by bus. The Champions League is now entering the group stage in Europe. Every year, including this year, Champions League matches attract large numbers of tourists from many countries, who invest time and money to watch live matches in the stadiums. They are just one of the impetuses for the sharp growth projected for sport tourism, from a $1.41 trillion market in 2016 to a $5.72 trillion market in 2021, according to a study by Technavio in August 2017.
Most importantly, European and non-European sport tourists are looking to combine their trips to top touristic cities with interesting matches by leading clubs with the world’s top football stars, most of whom play in Europe.
To mark the opening of the group stage of the UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues, Sports Events 365, a provider of tickets to sporting events worldwide, is offering recommendations for attractive combinations of top tourist cities and top-quality football matches held in proximity. The recommendations are meant to inspire avid football fans to a fuller experience by attending two matches or more in a very short trip.
The first matches offered by Sports Events 365 are part of the third round of the Champions League group stage in Spain and Portugal. Spain is the world’s third largest tourism market, with 75.3 million tourists in 2016 who spent €77 billion – 11% of the country’s GDP. Sports Events 365 advises the sport tourist to fly to Madrid to watch Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur match on October 17th, followed by a short trip to Barcelona to watch FC Barcelona vs. Olympiacos CFP on October 18th. An alternative to the match in Barcelona is a trip to Lisbon, in neighboring Portugal, to watch SL Benfica play Manchester United on October 18th.
Sports Events 365 notes an estimate by FC Barcelona, that an average of 10,000 of the 78,000 attendees of an average La Liga match are foreign tourists. Sports Events 365 estimates however, that the relative proportion of sport tourists is higher for Champions League matches. The away club supporters usually travel from another European country and are more enthusiastic in their wish to attend and cheer from the stands, than the average football tourist that attends a regular La Liga match.
Another attractive set of matches is to be found in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage. Fans of the Premier League are welcome to watch top EPL clubs at a fraction of the prices charged for matches in England. A quick trip to Italy to watch AS Roma vs. Chelsea FC on October 31st and a hop down to Naples the next day, November 1st, to watch SSC Napoli play against Manchester City will set you up nicely with top-of-the-chart clubs from both countries.
Alternatively, fans can choose to go to England and Scotland for the fourth round, where interesting matches await them as well. Glasgow boasts a very interesting match between Celtic FC and Bayern Munich on October 31st, or begin the trip in Manchester on October 31st with Manchester United and Portuguese SSC Benfica, at Old Trafford. Going to London the next day, on 1st of November, will ensure the continuous delightful experience with a match between Tottenham Hotspur and current Champions League Champion Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium. Liverpool fans may prefer to travel to nearby Liverpool on November 1st to watch their club play NK Maribor. Altogether, fans can choose from four attractive matches in two days.
The sixth Champions League round of matches features two attractive sets. Fans who will travel to Barcelona in early December can watch FC Barcelona play Sporting Club Portugal on December 5th. A short trip from Barcelona to Madrid will enable them to watch another top match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on the next day, December 6th. All in all, a possible brief sun and football vacation for Northern Europe travelers.
Alternatively, by traveling to the UK fans of Russian and English clubs will enjoy a unique combination of fascinating matches between clubs from the two nations. Fans who will fly to Manchester, North England, in early December can watch Manchester United play CSKA Moskva at Old Trafford on the 5th, and then hop over the next day, the 6th, to Liverpool, where Liverpool FC will play against Spartak Moskva. Sport tourists who prefer London can go to the British capital to watch Chelsea FC play Atletico Madrid on December 5th, and the next day, 6th of December, watch Tottenham Hotspur play APOEL Nicosia from Cyprus.
“This year, both Champions and Europa Leagues offer sets of amazing matches in the group stage in attractive tourist destinations that are within an easy distance from each other,” says Sefi Donner, the founder and CEO of Sports Events 365. “People have realized that if there is a great match in Madrid and another excellent match in Lisbon on the next day, it is worth their while to make the most of the existing investment in the trip, make an easy jump between the cities and enjoy another match and a new and refreshing tourist destination. Moreover, such combinations are usually better priced than the alternative – to wait for the final stages where ticket price is much higher.”
Donner concluded, “The growth in ordering combinations around Champions League matches reflects a general trend. Sport tourism has entered the era of the independent tourist, who does not limit himself or herself to buying a pre-packed trip. Sports tourists in general, and young tourists, particularly, start by securing tickets in the Sports Events 365 site, and then continue by adding online services such as flights, hotels, and suitable transportation. This way they create their own personalized sports trip.
This trend has resulted in a dramatic surge in our sales in recent months. Travel agencies that wish to keep up with this trend, learn how to fulfill the clients’ demand for flexibility. Sports Events 365 cooperates with lots of bodies from the travel industry. We all enjoy the growth in demand for sport tourism. Smart travel bodies know what their clients are looking for and add their services, such as flights and hotels, to the match ticket of attractive sports events, such as these Champions League great combinations.”
What are the chances of Brazil winning the World Cup in Russia?
When Brazil crashed out by seven goals to one against Germany in the 2014 World Cup, many of the team’s fans acted like the world had ended. This just goes to show how much football means to the country and its citizens.
And in many ways, the Brazilian national team is synonymous with the World Cup. Not only have they won the competition five times (more than any other), but they also hold the unique distinction of having competed in every World Cup since the competition started in 1930.
So can Brazil right the wrongs of their last awful campaign in 2018? Let’s see…
Incredible pressure
When it comes to football, pressure arguably weighs heavier on Brazil’s shoulders than it does on any other nation. Brazilians expect – and often demand – that the national team brings home the trophy. As Mauro Silva, a former defensive midfielder and 1994 World Cup winner, says on the FIFA website, “the more time that passes without Brazil winning the World Cup, the more the pressure increases”.
With the likes of Thiago Silva and Neymar in the team, Brazil’s players know how to pull it out of the bag in the big games. But back in 2014, the pressure to win on home soil was obviously too much and is perhaps a reason why they failed to do so.
Unpredictable defence
The thing about David Luiz is that he can be brilliant or terrible – depending on what day it is. He scored a brilliant free-kick against Chile in the quarter-finals in the 2014 World Cup. Yet a series of defensive errors – specifically by Luiz – cost the team dearly against Germany during an embarrassing 1-7 defeat in the semi-final.
But they look like a different team
As it happened, Brazil were the first team to qualify for the World Cup, which is a good sign for a side that failed to even make it out of their group at the Copa America 2016. Despite falling victim to a glaring mistake by the referee in their final game against Peru, the team looked to have taken a step back even further under Carlos Dunga. Yet Tite came in as coach after the competition and looks to have reinvigorated the side.
The current crop of players in the Brazil national team have always had quality, but Tite has them working as a well-oiled unit in his preferred a 4-1-4-1 system. £200 million man Neymar leads the pack when it comes to the new generation, while the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Phillipe Coutinho, Douglas Costa and Dani Alves provide a good mix of youth and experience.
Now most of the best-reviewed bookmakers for football have Brazil as second favourites to Germany. Bet365 and SkyBet both offer odds of 13/2, while Betfred has them at 6/1 to go home with the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Considering their current form and the fact that they have Neymar, we certainly wouldn’t bet against them.
Brazil Priced Up as Second Favourites for Russia 2018
The World Cup in Russia may still be nearly a year away but the bookmakers have already released their odds for the outright market and Brazil start as second favourites behind holders Germany. Can Tite’s side justify this market support?
Brazil Football via Twitter
Brazil sealed their qualification for the summer tournament back in March. As of August 2017, they are just one of three teams to have guaranteed a spot at the event which begins on June 14, 2018. Iran have also booked their place in Russia, whilst the hosts automatically qualify.
The Seleção sealed their place with a convincing 3-0 win over Paraguay, which completed a ninth consecutive win in their South American qualifying group. Goals from Marcelo, Phillipe Coutinho and Neymar made light work of their opposition to continue the side’s record as the only ever-present in the tournament since its inception.
If you’re going to be placing a bet on the football during the tournament then Brazil definitely looks like a team that could be worth putting your money on. If gambling is your thing then Footy Accumulators could be worth checking out as they provide football tips and predictions on of all the biggest matches daily.
It left second-placed Colombia nine points behind, with the top two meeting again at the beginning of September. Brazil also host Ecuador and travel to Bolivia in their remaining contests.
It’s been quite the turnaround for a side who were embarrassingly beaten 7-1 at the hands of Germany on home soil in 2014. Things got off to a terrible start and Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side found themselves 5-0 down at half time with a perplexed home contingent watching on in disbelief. The coach later described the defeat as the ‘worst day of his life’ and was relieved of his duties following a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands in the third-place playoff. The ghosts of that hammering appear to have finally been laid to rest and the side lining up in Russia will be barely recognisable from the one which folded so easily in Belo Horizonte.
Dunga returned for a second ill-fated spell in the dugout. He may have been a hero on the pitch but he was unable to have the same effect during his second spell in charge and was sacked following a thoroughly underwhelming Copa America campaign that saw his side failed to make it past the group stages. He did lead them to ten wins on the bounce, stretching from September 2014 through to June 2015, overseeing his side score 23 goals in the process – but it all unravelled soon after he was shown the exit once again.
Champions League via Twitter
The first qualification match didn’t quite go to plan as Brazil slumped to a 2-0 loss in Chile, with second-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez leaving them with an uphill battle – but home victories against Peru and Venezuela gave them hope. They haven’t lost in this group since that encounter in Santiago and their nine-match winning run has included eye-catching successes over Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia.
Impressively, they have managed to secure their passage without playing any of their home matches in Rio de Janeiro. There is an ongoing dispute surrounding unpaid bills and the Maracanã has rarely been used for sporting events since the Olympics were staged in 2016. Brazil’s final qualifying match will be played in São Paulo whilst previous clashes have been staged in Recife and Bahia.
Tite’s men could still have a big say on the group despite having comfortably sailed through the qualification campaign. They still have to oppose Colombia and Chile, who sit second and fourth respectively in the standings.
The latest FIFA rankings were published at the beginning of August, with Brazil restored to number one, knocking Germany off the top spot. Tite played down the news, admitting that it will mean nothing if the five-time world champions fall short of expectations in Russia. He insisted that his side must continue to work hard and not rest on their laurels. They cannot afford to lose momentum prior to a major tournament. The former Corinthians boss has overseen just a single defeat during his 11 game tenure and the players appear to be enjoying working under his tutelage.
Tite has been praised by many of the squad, including Neymar, who told the media: “He’s an excellent coach with great technical knowledge who respects every professional,” before adding: “I have an excellent relationship with him.”
It’s been a busy summer for the golden boy of Brazil, who swapped the Nou Camp for the Parc Des Princes for an eye-watering fee of $198million. Neymar has already made himself at home in the French capital, netting in both of his appearances in Ligue 1 so far and being instrumental in their immediate rise to the top of the table. The club have netted 11 times in their first three matches. He’s netted 55 goals in 72 appearances for his national side and is likely to play a pivotal role during Russia 2018. Pele holds the all-time record of 77 goals during his time representing the Seleção and Neymar appears determined to rewrite history.
Another Brazilian making the headlines this summer is Phillipe Coutinho, with the Liverpool playmaker heavily linked with a move to Neymar’s former employers Barcelona. Coutinho has lit up the Premier League with his deft touch and eye for the spectacular and has been courted by the Catalonian club for a number of the months. He missed the beginning of the English top-flight season through injury but there is still a possibility he may leave Anfield before the European transfer window slams shut on August 31.
The 2016 Samba Gold winner is a tremendous talent and can change games instantly and could join fellow Brazilian Paulinho at the Nou Camp following the 29-year-old’s recent transfer from Guangzhou Evergrande of the Chinese Super League. The former Spurs player divides opinion but new Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has shelled out $36 million for the new recruit and is hoping he can help his side regain their La Liga title after losing out to Real Madrid last season. Rafinha is another Brazilian at the club and the 24-year-old has worked his way into the starting XI over the last couple of seasons after spending time on loan at Celta Vigo.
Brazil Football via Twitter
Another emerging talent is Gabriel Jesus, who is likely to be called up to the World Cup 2018 squad. The former Palmeiras man scored five goals in six appearances during the qualifiers including firing a brace against Ecuador in September 2016 as he announced his arrival on the international scene. He also found the net against Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia. The 20-year-old was also an integral part of his country’s Olympic squad, netting three times at the 2016 tournament.
Following a big-money move to Manchester City, he netted seven times in ten matches before an injury curtailed his season. He is a natural finisher who will surely relish linking up with the likes of Neymar and Coutinho on the biggest stage of all. He’s been backed by Brazilian legend Cafu who recently told the media: “If Gabriel Jesus maintains his form for Brazil, I believe he’ll be up there with Romario and Ronaldo as an all-time great.”
There is plenty of expectation surrounding the attacking talent and it’s important that his progression is managed correctly.
Other players who look set to feature in Russia include the ageless Dani Alves, who continues to bring energy and class to the team and Chelsea’s Willian who continues to impress in West London, with workrate and an eye for a spectacular finish. He will certainly have plenty of competition when it comes to set pieces next summer. Roberto Firmino, Felipe Luis and Marquinhos have all been competing at the highest level and provide an exhaustive list of possibilities for Tite.
The latest squad announced at the beginning of August excludes David Luiz, who many Brazilian fans still hold partly responsible for their demise at the World Cup 2014 and Alex Sandro but does feature Gremio star Luan, who was part of the successful Olympic squad. Liverpool and Spartak Moscow are rumoured to be battling for the signature of the talented striker who has impressed this season in Brazilian Serie A.
Ederson and Allison will battle for a position in goal whilst Real Madrid’s breakout star Casemiro has also been included in the 23-man squad.
It’s a hugely talented squad and Tite’s men appear to be playing with plenty of confidence. They can go into their remaining qualifying matches with the pressure off and even field slightly more experimental lineups to test the water ahead of next summer’s showdown in Russia. Brazil are currently second favourites behind Germany in the betting and are priced at 7/1 for success. That price is likely to change when the draw is made at the start of December with each side discovering their group opposition for the first time.
City Watch via Twitter
One of Brazil’s major market rivals appear to be Argentina, who are priced up at 9/1 for success in Russia. The beaten finalists of 2014 haven’t had the smoothest of qualifying campaigns and recently dispensed with lacklustre head coach Edgardo Bauza. La Albiceleste beat Brazil in a recent friendly encounter but were convincingly beaten during their last competitive meeting in November 2016 thanks to goals from the aforementioned trio of Phillipe Coutinho, Neymar and Paulinho.
Jorge Sampaoli has been drafted in following a successful stint at La Liga outfit Sevilla and he is tasked with improving the vastly underperforming side who currently sit fifth in the qualification standings. It is far from a lost cause as they lie just a point behind Chile and Uruguay but they cannot afford any more slip-ups otherwise their place at the World Cup will be far from guaranteed. They face a difficult game away from home against Uruguay at the beginning of September before hosting Venezuela just a couple of days later.
Sampaoli has some of the world’s best players at his disposal but moulding them into a cohesive unit appears to be the biggest challenge as his predecessors will attest to. The new coach has dropped Juventus powerhouse Gonzalo Higuain from his squad and will be hoping Lionel Messi can finally shine on the international stage after a series of underwhelming tournaments (by his high standards).
Brazil will also be wary of 2010 winners Spain, who are always strong competition and Euro 2016 runners-up France, who have a similarly talented squad which included Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba and one of Europe’s hottest talents in the shape of Kylian Mbappe. Germany continue to go from strength to strength and wrapped up the 2017 Confederations Cup with an under-strength squad and Joachim Low’s side look set to provide Brazil’s biggest competition at the tournament.
Tite has been a revelation since taking over from Dunga and his side can see out the remainder of their qualifying matches with the knowledge that they’ve already booked their place on the plane next summer. They have been priced up prominently in the market and this is a hugely exciting time for Brazilian football. They’ve suffered the crippling lows of losing 7-1 on home turf and it’s time the Seleção bounced back in 2018. The likes of Neymar, Coutinho and the impressive Gabriel Jesus will be forces to be reckoned with and, coupled with unknown quantities such as Luan, they should be hard to stop.
Brazil have shown their quality over the past 12 months and it’s important to keep the momentum going ahead of any major tournament. It may be fewer than four years since the previous World Cup but this genuinely feels like a new era for Brazilian football and there is absolutely no reason why they cannot upset the favourites Germany and justify all of the early market support.
Teamwork Will Help Brazil Shake the Ghosts of 2014
This past spring, Brazil became the first team to officially qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The Seleção was dominant once again, blazing through qualifying by going undefeated for 13 matches. That Brazil qualified came as a surprise to absolutely no one, but the manner in which they did so showed such class and dominance that they’re already a trendy favourite for the tournament in Russia.
The team qualified with its 3-0 win over Paraguay back in March. With a team that features an attractive blend of youth and experience, Brazil hopes this squad can dispel the spectre of the 2014 World Cup. The 2014 semi-final match still looms over the team like a dark cloud. The 7-1 loss to Germany (the eventual champions) matched the record for Brazil’s worst loss ever, tying a 6-0 defeat to Uruguay in 1920. It was also the worst ever loss in a World Cup semi-final or final match.
It’s important to note that the squad was missing Neymar, its key playmaker, in addition to defensive captain Thiago Silva. Even so, the historic thrashing was unexpected by everyone, and Brazil will have a lot of making up to do in 2018. Now, Neymar is back with a vengeance and playing some of the best football of his career. As of this writing, he has recorded six goals during qualifying and has become an integral piece of Barcelona’s lethal attacking trio. With Neymar healthy and an influx of new blood, this is a team that can wipe away the past.
However, past stars have warned against putting too much weight on the shoulders of only a few star players. Even Pele has spoken about the emphasis of playing as a team rather than relying on one superstar. A common criticism of the 2014 squad was its over-reliance on Neymar, and how the team’s attack seemed lost when he went out with an injury during the quarter-final against Colombia.
Thankfully, there’s a bevy of exciting new players that should make this one of the most thrilling Brazilian teams in recent memory. Philippe Coutinho has established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders, and the team now has a reliable striker in 20-year-old Gabriel Jesus. Roberto Firmino has also established himself as a crafty, world-class midfielder and should help to bring more pace and creativity to the Brazilian side. With veterans and youngsters working together, this team has the potential to truly bring back the joga bonito of Brazil that supporters have longed for.
Of course, Germany will continue to be another side with aspirations of World Cup glory. 2014 marked the team’s fourth championship with Mario Götze’s 114th minute goal in extra time to defeat Argentina. Some pundits have pegged the Germans as a popular team to win it all, and another World Cup would tie them with Brazil for the most trophies. Like Brazil, Germany has brought a host of new talent to the international stage, and the prospect of a rematch between these two legendary sides is tantalising.
In the 2018 World Cup, Brazil will be a team on a mission, and nothing less than a sixth Jules Rimet trophy will satiate their fans. For a team with such a history of excellence, the 2014 debacle was inexcusable and something that everyone will be looking to forget. With this promising roster, Brazil can truly begin to look forward, and now that qualifying is done, it’s time to get ready for the real thing in a year’s time.
Brazil’s Storied History in Penalty Shootouts
At the Rio 2016 Olympics, the next generation of incredible Brazilian talents overcame Germany in a penalty shootout. Not only did this win the nation’s first-ever football gold medal at the Olympics, but it also continued a grand history of penalty shootouts for Brazil, pointing to further success for the first team in future penalty shootouts. Ever since the penalty shootout was first implemented in 1976 by FIFA, per the Telegraph, Brazil have engaged in nine shootouts in World Cup and Copa America knockout stages, winning six and losing three. Aside from the fact that Brazil have regularly been able to assemble a superb team of talents for the big competitions, there is another underlying feature of their game that has enabled them to do so well in the very high-pressure situation.
Brazilians Amazing Under Pressure
As recorded by Transfermarkt, Brazil have won their only shootout in a last-16 match; lost all three of their shootouts in quarterfinals; won all three semi-final shootouts; and both of their penalty shootouts in finals. The Brazilians hold a 75 percent success rate in World Cup shootouts and a 60 percent success rate in the Copa America, but just how have they been able to hold their nerve? In an interview with sports betting company Betway, Roberto Forzoni – a sports psychologist who has worked with Andy Murray, Fabio Capello, West Ham United, and others – explains the problem of choking with sports players, and how to avoid it. Forzoni explains that footballers in the UK become “mentally tough from an early age because they’ll get released from clubs – competition is fierce,”and that “they become more accustomed to accepting that things can go wrong and have the ability to come up with the solutions.”
The same can be said, if not more so, for Brazilian footballers, as the competition is far greater in the South American nation. In the 1994 World Cup final, Romario – who scored Brazil’s second of the shootout – explained that the situation was tense: “Yes, I was nervous about taking a penalty during the shootout, but only because I’d never taken one before for the national team. I never practised penalties.”
Brazil’s Lauded Penalty History
In the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals, Brazil took France to penalties after a 1-1 score line. During the game, Zico – who was voted the best player in both World Cups prior – missed a penalty in the game which would have put Brazil 2-1 up. In the shootout, Socrates missed the first shot and France scored their first three. Branco made the score 4-4, Michel Platini then missed France’s fourth penalty, but Julio Cesar missed for Brazil, allowing Luis Fernandez to seal the win for the French. Brazil’s first penalty shootout didn’t go their way, but they made up for it when the occasion arose again.
The next penalty shootout was a huge one for Brazil, taking place in the 1994 World Cup final against Italy – the first World Cup final to be decided by a penalty shootout – following a 0-0 game through regular and extra time. Neither Italy nor Brazil scored on their first attempt, with the next four attempts hitting the back of the net. On Italy’s fourth shot, Daniele Massaro’s effort was saved by Claudio Taffarel, which Dunga complimented by scoring Brazil’s fourth try. Roberto Baggio missed for Italy, handing Brazil the World Cup.
Brazil then went on an impeccable three perfect shootout streak, not missing a single shot through three high-pressure occasions. They defeated the Dutch 4-2 in the 1998 World Cup semi-final shootout to make it to the final. In the 2004 Copa America semi-final, Adriano levelled the game at 1-1 before being one of five successive Brazilian scorers in the shootout to defeat Uruguay. Then, just four days later, a 2-2 final against Argentina in which Adriano scored the equaliser in the 90th minute, went to penalties. Adriano – who ended as the tournament’s top scorer by a very long way, per Statbunker – stepped up and put his nation 1-0 up after Argentina missed their first. With three more successful spot kicks, Brazil triumphed to win the Copa America.
Brazil to Continue Their Penalty Prowess
Since the induction of the penalty shootout Brazil have proven time and time again that they have the mental toughness to prevail in such a high-pressure situation. Despite having one of the most football-fanatic nations on their collective back, Brazilians have shown that they can keep a cool head, which is likely credit to the high-level of competition experienced when they’re developing their football skills.
Would Daniel Alves Be a Success at Manchester City?
“Brazil World Cup players at Gillette eve” by Ben Tavener
Daniel Alves may be in his mid-30s, but he is one of the best right-backs in the world – perhaps even the best. The Brazil international is a Barcelona legend, and last season he showed that he can do it in Italy as well.
Signed on a free transfer in the summer of 2016 by Juventus, Alves maintained his form and showed that he is tactically adept enough to succeed in Serie A, one of the most difficult domestic leagues in the world. The right-back played in 19 Serie A games for Juventus last season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the process.
It was in the Champions League that the former Sevilla star starred for Massimiliano Allegri’s side. Alves was a key figure in the Bianconeri’s progress to the final in Europe’s premier club competition. The 34-year-old made 11 starts in the Champions League during the 2016-17 campaign, scoring three goals and providing four assists in the process.
It must have come as a surprise to many Juventus fans when Alves decided to leave Turin this summer with one more year left on his contract. Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for Alves, and it is only a matter of time before the former Bahia defender completes the switch to the Premier League club, who are 15/8 to win the league title next season, according to latest football betting odds on bet365.
Alves may be getting old, but the Brazilian still has his legs and pace. The right-back remains supremely energetic, and although he may not be able to play well consistently in 50 games per season, if he is managed properly, then he could be a huge asset for City. Pep Guardiola is also reportedly interested in signing Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window. Playing in tandem with the England international right-back next season would be the perfect way to manage Alves.
Not so long ago, City signed another Brazilian right-back from another Italian club. Man City paid Inter Milan a transfer fee of £3 million in the summer of 2012 in order to secure the services of Maicon. Much was expected of the then 31-year-old Brazilian defender, but he failed to make an impact at the Etihad Stadium and was moved on after just a season.
While some fans could be concerned and may draw parallels, the truth is that Maicon was past his best when he joined City. In fact, the former Brazil international right-back was on the way down following his tremendous performances in Inter’s Champions League-winning campaign of 2019-10. On the other hand, Alves is very much on top of his game and can make important contributions over the course of the season if he is managed properly by Guardiola, who has worked with him before at Barcelona.
How Crucial is Neymar to Brazil’s Chances of Success at Russia 2018?
Brazilian football has been littered with legendary players like Pele and, in more recent times, Ronaldo, Romario and Ronaldinho who have become household names after superb careers for the seleção but, when the dust settles on his career, it may just be that Neymar goes down in history as the best of them all.
With English fans eulogising about Wayne Rooney’s record-breaking goal-scoring feats for England, his return of 53 goals from 119 appearances pales into insignificance when taking a glance at Barcelona’s star striker.
Neymar has hit an incredible 52 goals from just 77 outings and all before his 26th birthday. It’s strike rate that compares favourably to the great Romario, whose career ended with 55 goals from 70 appearances in the famous yellow shirt.
Ronaldo bagged 62 from 98 caps while Ronalinho’s 33 from 97 games was a creditable record for an attacking midfielder.
Despite his obvious goalscoring prowess, Neymar seems to have flown under the radar to a certain extent and one explanation might be that 35 of his 52 goals have come in friendlies and just 17 in meaningful matches.
However, he did find the net four times in the 2014 World Cup on home soil and is progressing as a player year-on-year at the Nou Camp alongside fellow South Americans Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Brazil have romped through qualification for the 2018 World Cup and, with four games to go, have already booked their spot in Russia, with ten wins and three draws from 14 matches.
The race to join them is intense and punters looking for a bet on qualification should check out Bethut’s football predictions before laying their money down.
The five-time World Cup winners have scored 35 goals to date, with Neymar contributing six but it has been far from a one-man show.
Thirteen other players have also got their names on the score sheet, with Gabriel Jesus and Paulinho both netting four.
Philippe Coutinho, Renato Augusto and Willian have contributed three and it has been an all-round effort to dominate the CONMEBOL qualification race.
But Neymar remains the ‘go-to’ man and will be the player that head coach Tite looks to for inspiration next summer.
The former Santos ace has shown that he can hack it at the top level, with 105 goals from 186 appearances across four seasons for Barca and that is no mean feat with the quality of attacking players at the Nou Camp.
He will not be overawed by leading the line in Russia and will hope to cement his place in Brazilian football folklore by helping the Canarinho claim a sixth World Cup title.
The signs are good that they might just be able to do that, as Brazil are currently ranked as the top side in world football and look a different side under Tite than the one that struggled with Dunga at the helm.
The boss has brought back a few old heads but has generally got the same squad playing a more attacking brand of football and believing in themselves.
From hitting rock bottom after the 7-1 World Cup semi-final drubbing to Germany three years ago, Brazil are now genuine contenders to win next summer’s World Cup and, in Neymar they have a man who seems destined to add a World Cup winner’s medal to his haul before hanging up his boots.
How Are Brazil Shaping Up for the 2018 World Cup?
A year is a long-time in football.
Even eight months can represent an age, as the current Brazilian squad can testify. Last summer, they were humiliated while being eliminated from the Copa America group stages, as a combination of turgid football, bad refereeing decisions and a lack of confidence cost them dear.
Since the pragmatic Carlos Dunga was replaced with Tite, however, Brazil have rediscovered their flair and even managed to become the first team to actively qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The question that remains is how far Brazil have progressed in 2017, and where do they stand in their quest for World Cup glory?
Heralding a New Look Brazil
The five-time world champions secured their passage with a 3-0 win over Paraguay in March, as they continued to showcase the form and flair that has returned to side since the arrival of Tite. Sporting a progressive 4-1-4-1 system, Tite has created a team that can transition superbly between attack and defence, while also introducing a number of younger players to compliment experienced campaigners such as Dani Alves and Paulinho.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the midfield and attacking third, where Real Madrid’s Casemiro, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus have introduced considerable pace and energy. With the talismanic Neymar and Bayern’s Douglas Costa also providing width and trickery on the flanks, Brazil have been able to dazzle team with movement and the precision of their passing.
In some respects, the speed of Brazil’s transition from ageing pragmatists to young cavaliers has provided as much of an adrenaline rush as a Royal Vegas casino game. The teams’ performances have also helped Brazil’s army of passionate fans to rediscover their love for the side, after the period of deep depression and unease that followed their humbling experience at the 2014 World Cup and slew of ponderous performances at elite level.
The Last Word: Why Brazil Are Keen Favourites for Russia 2018
With these points in mind, it is easy to understand why Brazil are currently 5/1 second favourites to win the World Cup (behind current champions Germany who are priced at 11/2). There is certainly a feel-good factor in Brazilian football at the moment, while the quality and balance of their squad will give most opposition a difficult time. The 2018 tournament may also provide a platform on which Neymar can prove his world class talent, as the Brazilian skipper looks to lead by example.
Interestingly, Brazil are scheduled to play Germany in a friendly in March next year, and this will give us a clear indication as to which side is in better shape. This game will also give the Samba stars a chance to finally exorcise the ghost of their 7-1 mauling at the hands of Germany in 2014, when the dreams of the nation were crushed by a shambolic Brazilian performance.
If they can slay these demons, it will represent another step in the rehabilitation of the Brazilian national side and could make them favourites for Russia 2018.
Top Brazilian Talents of All Time
The sport of football brings joy to people from around the globe, uniting them in a shared love of the sport. Brazil is one of the most well known national teams in the sport, renowned for their skill and passion. These are just a few of the top Brazilian footballers of all time.
Careca
Antônio de Oliveira Filho, better known as Careca was one of Brazil’s most promising players in the 1980s, becoming a veteran of the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. This would also have included the 1982 World Cup team had he not been injured before the finals.
After his World Cup performances Careca moved to Japan in 1993 at the age of 33 to take part in the Japanese League. In 1997 he returned home to Brazil to play in lower leagues before retiring just before turning 40.
Zico
Arthur Antunes Coimbra, famously referred to as Zico, is well known as one of the greatest footballers in Brazilian history. Zico’s attacking moves were a force to be reckoned with and he specialised in free kicks.
Pelé, another legendary footballer, is quoted as saying “Zico is the only one who resembles my playing method”. He was voted the best player for both the 1978 and the 1982 World Cups.
Zico retired whilst playing for Kashima Antlers, later becoming their manager. This began Zico’s coaching and managing career, working with a number of clubs and national teams.
Garrincha
Manuel Francisco dos Santos, also known as, Mané Garrincha is one of Brazils most beloved and fondly remembered footballers, an expert at dribbling. Garrincha is a man who defied the odds after overcoming multiple birth defects to become one the greatest players in football history.
Garrincha was born with a deformed spine as well as a right leg that was six centimetres longer than the left. Despite this he began his professional football career playing for Botafogo, and scoring a hat trick against Bonsucesso in his debut game for the club.
Garrincha was called upon to play for the Brazilian national squad in 1958, eventually being voted to the World Cup’s All-Star Team. Thanks to his performance, he was also in the 1962 Brazilian World Cup team. Sadly for some his achievements were shadowed by his alcohol addiction, which took over his life in retirement, nevertheless the country was in mourning when he passed away. You can find out more about his fascinating life here.
Jairzinho
Jairzinho, nicknamed ‘The Hurricane’ was an integral part of the Brazilian national team during their heyday in 1970. This team is often known as the best international football team ever.
During the 1970 World Cup, Jairzinho managed to score in all 7 games of the tournament, a record shared only with Alcides Ghiggia. At the time he wore a No. 7 shirt, considered by many to be lucky, and was recently named as one of the top 7 footballer 7s.
Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho was born in 1980, coming from a family of football players. Learning from his family he had a celebrated youth career, before starting his senior career in 1998 with Grêmio.
Just two years after his senior career began; Ronaldinho was selected for Brazil’s 2002 World Cup Team. At the time many considered Ronaldinho the best football player on earth. After the World Cup victory, Ronaldinho completed a dream of his to join FC Barcelona, winning the legendary No. 10 shirt, which is worn by the team’s most creative player.
Moving to A.C. Milan in 2008, Ronaldinho’s performance wasn’t living up to his status. Just three years later he returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo, later moving to Atlético Mineiro.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, popularly dubbed “The Phenomenon”, started his career playing for Cruzeiro where he demonstrated his fantastic goal-scoring capabilities. At the age of just 17 he was named to join the Brazilian national team for the 1994 World Cup, however he did not play.
Over the next four years Ronaldo moved between PSV Eindhoven, F.C. Barcelona and Inter Milan. During this time he won FIFA World Player of the Year twice. 1998 was Ronaldo’s opportunity to finally play in a World Cup, being named the Golden Ball winner (the Cup’s best player)
Following a number of injuries he competed again in the 2002 World Cup, impressing again as he won the Golden Boot Award (the Cup’s top goalscorer)
Pelé
To many, Pelé was almost certainly the greatest footballer of all time. His performance in the 1958 World Cup at the age of just 17 made him a superstar. He played professionally with Brazil for two decades, during which he was an integral part in winning three World Cups.
Brazilian President at the time, Jânio Quadros officially declared Pelé a national treasure, which made it legally difficult to play for another country, despite receiving offers from many European teams.
Pelé announced his retirement in 1974, but actually went on to play in the North American Soccer League for another three years for the New York Cosmos. In 1977 he finally retired with a staggering 1281 goals in 1363 games played.