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One thing Brazilian football and their national team has never been bereft of is pure precocious talent. And this Brazil side at the Copa America 2015, with 1994 World Cup-winning player Dunga at its helm, is no different. But put it down to any factor as you may like, the team doesn’t really ooze the same class and appeal that the world has come to expect from this nation.
That, however, doesn’t mean that this side is any less talented. Brazil are odds on favourites to atleast make it to the final of the competition, as we look at their five most important players who’ll play a key role in their team’s fortunes in Chile.
Jefferson
After Dunga’s first-choice keeper Diego Alves (Valencia) was ruled out of the competition due to a last-minute injury, the goalkeeping mantle has shifted to the shoulders of Jefferson Oliveira. The 32-year old, who plays for Botafogo in the Brazilian top-flight, is not exactly a household name in world football and has only represented his country on 15 occasions in his long career.
His lesser known status, however, doesn’t reduce his responsibilities whatsoever. In a competition consisting of players like Messi, Sanchez, Falcao, Di Maria et al, Jefferson will have to gather all his experience to keep the opposition strikers at bay and ensure that a result like the ill-fated semi-final last year is not repeated.
In a team brimming with prodigious and world-class talent, the little-known shot-stopper holds a pivotal role if Brazil are to progress to the later stages of the tournament.
David Luiz
For David Luiz, Copa America 2015 is a chance for redemption. After all, it was under his captaincy that Brazil suffered that heartbreaking defeat in the World Cup semi-final last year. He had a wonderful World Cup until that game against Germany, post which experts pointed to Thiago Silva’s absence in defence. For Luiz, it was a discrediting indictment of his own defensive abilities.
A year later, with Thiago Silva demoted to the bench by Dunga, David Luiz will be wearing his heart on his sleeve and hoping to set the record straight in Chile, and prove that he’s good enough to wear the national colours and carry the weight of the nation’s expectations on his shoulders.
After a successful first season with Paris Saint-Germain in France, the 28-year-old will be looking emulate his club success on the international level and justify his tag of being the most expensive defender in the history of world football and not just another overvalued South American footballer.
Fernandinho
Two weeks ago, Fernandinho wasn’t even expected to make it to the starting eleven in Dunga’s plans. But such is fate that Luis Gustavo’s untimely injury has put the Manchester City man back in the spotlight. He’ll now be expected to take charge of midfield duties and form the crucial link between Brazil’s effervescent attack and suspect defence.
Having made just 25 starts in a relatively indifferent season in the Premier League, he’ll be fresh and bubbling with energy. Dunga will hope to see him in full flow, fulfilling both his playmaking and defensive duties, as he’s done so effortlessly all throughout his career.
From the competition as a whole, the 30-year would hope to reaffirm his stature as the go-to defensive midfielder for both club and country.
Coutinho
When Coutinho was left out of the 2014 World Cup squad by then manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, it quickly became the biggest talking point for the national media and football enthusiasts in Brazil. Coutinho, meanwhile, soaked in the disappointment and moved on to another stellar season with Liverpool.
Even as his club failed and faltered on a consistent basis, Coutinho shone with his slick ball control, bag of skills and some exquisite goals. Called up to the national squad by Dunga in August last year, he has been quick to establish himself as a key component of the national team set-up.
His steady rise as a world-class footballer has reached its first potential milestone. Coutinho’s form in Chile will be crucial to Dunga’s plans and if he can unfurl his magic in the golden jersey, then Brazil might just go all the way in this competition.
Neymar
Brazilian teams have over the years been a perfect amalgamation of precocious talent, world superstars and legends in the making. But like every Brazil team of every bygone generation, one player has always stood out. Pele, Zico, Romario, Ronaldo, the list goes on.
Although his worth in this glittering list might be under question, but Neymar’s stature as Brazil’s greatest player of the current generation is no longer in doubt.
If his individual brilliance at last year’s World Cup wasn’t enough, then his treble-winning performances in the Barcelona shirt last season (43 goals, 7 assists) have surely silenced even his staunchest detractors. The only thing now missing from his short yet remarkable list of achievements is an international trophy.
Brazil’s fifth-highest goalscorer of all time (with 43 goals) would already have his sights set on the 2018 World Cup, but Copa America 2015 would be the perfect stepping stone for eternal glory for Neymar.
