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World Cup Profile : Brazil national football team

By Chiranjib Ghosh

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 10: Neymar of Brazil in action during the match between Brazil and Chile for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Allianz Parque Stadium on October 10, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - OCTOBER 10: Neymar of Brazil in action during the match between Brazil and Chile for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifier at Allianz Parque Stadium on October 10, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images) /
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Neymar has a chance to shoot into the Brazilian Hall of Fame in next year’s World Cup

Brazil have a shining record at the World Cup, having taken home the trophy a record 5 times. Pelé, Vavá, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Ronaldo and Dunga are considered some of the best players of all time mostly because their trophy cabinet consists of a (one or more) World Cup winners medal.

Now, Neymar has the chance to emulate these legends. The spark has been missing from Brazil’s football ever since they were knocked out of the quarter-final in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In 2014, they were historically drubbed 7-1 in the semi-final by Germany. Since, their standard has dropped even further, until the emergence of Gabriel Jesus and Ederson. In this World Cup, they are being touted as favourites.

Their starting lineup (4-3-3) should look something like this :

Goalkeeper : Ederson

Right-back : Dani Alves (captain)

Centre-back(right) : Thiago Silva

Centre-back(left) : David Luiz

Left-back : Marcelo

Defensive midfielder : Casemiro

Playmaker(left) : Philippe Coutinho

Playmaker(right) : Fernandinho

Right forward : Willian

Centre forward : Gabriel Jesus

Left forward : Neymar (vice-captain)

The goal will be guarded by Manchester City’s Ederson, who has proven to be one of the best goalkeepers of the world. The ageing defence is still good enough to protect the goal. It has an average age of 32.25, which isn’t ideal.

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But they also have 12 international honours between them, which means that they can still take on any attack in the world. Casemiro is one of the defensive midfielders in the world and can protect the defence ably.

Fernandinho has been a late bloomer at Manchester City and still has one more international tournament left in him, while Philippe Coutinho should be the main man pulling the strings in midfield.

The Brazilian attack is one of the best in the world, featuring Premier League duo Gabriel Jesus and Willian and of course, Neymar. Willian is a brilliant winger, and can put in accurate crosses for his Premier League counterpart. Jesus has proven to be a clinical finisher for Manchester City and will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders in Russia.

But for Neymar, it’s nothing short of a chance to etch his name in footballing history forever. Until now, he has always fallen short of expectations but this time, it’s not an option for him anymore. Neymar needs to step up and play like a star.

Next: Chelsea legend slams club’s big summer signing

If he wants to be remembered as an equivalent of Pelé or Diego Maradona, this is the platform for him to perform and usurp Lionel Messi from his throne as the best player in the world.

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