The sad decline of the Brazil national football team

Brazil were knocked out of the Copa America in the quarter-final by Paraguay yet again

Once upon a time (as every fairy tale starts), the world was left in awe of the fast passing, free-scoring, beautiful Brazilian side. Not just one, but multiple generations of Brazilian footballers have graced the world stage, and taken it by storm. Cut to the dismal and inept performances of the past few major tournaments, the difference is telling.

Players like Pele, Socrates, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Dunga et al have spread joy through time, but this Brazilian team just doesn’t make the cut. With recent allegations that sponsors instead of selectors had been picking the team, multiple stakeholders have come under question. But, who has been hurt here the most? The Brazilian fans, who have stuck with the team through thick and thin, are the worst hit here. And it would only be unfair to call it a “Brazil National Football Team” considering the selection process.

The aegis under which this very nation won an astounding five World Cups, is now completely lost.

The “Gold Standard” in world football – The 1994 FIFA World Cup winning squad.

A humiliating World Cup exit at home

The last three World Cup performances have not lived up to the billing either. Brazil were knocked out at the “oh so familiar” quarter-final stage in 2006 and 2010 by France and Netherlands respectively.

Somewhere between much fanfare and conspiracy lay the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil had finally captured the hosting rights and were ready to take the tournament by storm, and so they did. Scraping through every match with sub-par performances, Scolari’s Brazil were set to repeat the feat of 2002, and lift the famous old trophy.

But who knew what was in store for them? Come the semi-final, their average defence, coupled with a toothless attack, were exposed ruthlessly by an unforgiving Germany team, which eventuall went on to lift the World Cup for the fourth time in their history. But that semi-final loss to Germany turned out to be the “darkest day” in Brazilian footballing history. Goal after goal after goal went in, with the whole world looking on for Brazil to mount a comeback, but there was none.

No questions were answered that day, but many were now questioning the country’s footballing future. The 7-1 scoreline pierced through every Brazilian’s heart. And the Dutch side were none too kind to give them an easy task in the third-place match, beating Brazil 3-0.

The 2014 World Cup was supposed to be a resurgence of sorts. But it only ended up sending Brazil in a downward spiral in world football.

Perfectly captured emotions as Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany on home turf in the 2014 World Cup semi-final

Joga Bonito? Say what?

• 17 July 2011: Copa America quarter-final: Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (Paraguay win 2-0 on penalties)
• 27 June 2014: Copa America quarter-final: Brazil 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties)

Two consecutive tournaments, and the same fate. The “Samba Boys”, the five-time champions, are only a shadow of their beautiful past. Joga Bonito i.e. ‘beautiful football’ is what has been used to describe this nation with a glorious footballing past. But where is the Joga Bonito now?

A humiliating exit in the last World Cup on their own turf, a rejuvenated Brazil with returning coach Dunga at its helm looked set for a strong Copa America. But, alas, it was the same old story – going out to Paraguay in a penalty shootout. The game ended with Brazil having nine defensive players on the field.

The past editions of not just the Copa America, but even the FIFA World Cup have been extremely disappointing. The individuals have become household names throughout the world, but are still not a team, and do not show any signs of becoming one. Contrary to recent times, Brazil have had success unparalleled. The country with the most World Cups, are now also a country to have conceded 7 goals in a single World Cup game. Not exactly beautiful.

All of their past greats would cry at the sight of the negative and defensive football that Brazil tried to implement in the 2015 Copa America. Dunga may have been a champion defender in his time, but that doesn’t justify the utterly uninspiring brand of football they were playing. Even Luiz Felipe Scolari could not inspire his team to a victory in the last World Cup. But who is the problem here? The Brazilian Football Association, the sponsors (read: selectors) or the coach? Nobody has answers to these questions.

Brazil crash and burn in Copa America campaign

Having hit the proverbial rock bottom post the 2014 World Cup, everyone thought Brazil could not sink any lower. But they were in for a surprise. Much like the last few major tournaments, Brazil were scraping through every group game, and with their slow paced, restrictive playing style, everyone thought that this would be their year.

But, Brazil, were ready to pour water over all their expectations. Brazilian national football team, were knocked out at the exact same stage, in the exact same fashion, and uncannily from the exact same team, as the last edition. From 2011 to 2015, there was no change at all.

The much maligned Copa America 2015 squad.

Add to this, the ever present antics of their talismanic Neymar. He had the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders, but they were only to end in tears. The Barcelona stalwart lost his cool and got involved in an altercation with Jeison Murillo and Carlos Bacca, during the group game between Brazil and Colombia.

Both he and Bacca received a straight red card. This made the young striker more furious and he didn’t think twice before getting involved the match officials. His actions led to a four international game ban and very deservedly so.

The nation expected so much of him, and like his teammates, he underwhelmed.The 23-year-old had been given the captain’s armband, which was an added responsibility for him. Thiago Silva had been stripped of the captaincy following the 2014 World Cup debacle, but knowing Neymar’s on-field antics, this decision was questionable even before this incident. Tournament after tournament, Brazil have disappointed.

The way forward

Only “Christ the Redeemer” ( the statue of Jesus in Rio De Janeiro) could turn around Brazil’s fortunes right now. But, in all seriousness, where do the Selecao go from here? The yellow army will always be compared to their former glories. Pele, arguably the greatest footballer ever, has been an ambassador for Brazilian football and is reflective of their god-like status in world football.

But, who gives this team the right to pour water all over their fan’s expectations, who has given this squad the right to meddle with this great footballing history?

The lack of talent has never been a problem, with top European clubs targeting young Brazilian talent year after year. Brazil needs to start with primarily getting rid of the “failure” tag in the recent past. The mentality of winning needs to be restored within this promising nation. They promise a lot, and year after year, tournament after tournament, fail to deliver.

Can Neymar lead this Brazil side in the future?

This winning mentality is what has been crucial to their success. The mentality embedded a superiority; knowing that they were better than the opposition is what won them matches even before they stepped on the pitch. They need not look far back to replicate that on the pitch.

The 2002 World Cup squad was one of the best Brazilian generations to have graced the pitch. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Gilberto Silva, are just some of the names which used to send shivers down the opposition’s spine. The fast flowing football has been the hallmark of the past Brazilian teams but seems to have gone missing now.

First and foremost, Brazil need to find a coach other than Dunga. Even in his playing days, he was considered one of the most “un-Brazilian” of players, with his rugged and no-nonsense playing style. His mentality was reflective on the pitch, but now they need to move on. Moreover, the stranglehold of the of the sponsors on the national team needs to be removed, only then will the team actually have a space to succeed.

Brazil have the personnel. But it’s all about recreating the aura around them, and it’s only a matter of time before Joga Bonito returns.