5 Things To Watch About The Brazilian National Team At The 2014 World Cup

As the 2014 World Cup begins the group stages of the competition, fans across the world will understandably focus their attention on Brazil, the host nation and five time World Cup champion. Unlike years past, however, this Brazil side lacks a gamut of stars that have made their mark in European competition in the vein of Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho or Kaka. Although Brazil does claim bragging rights to FC Barcelona striker Neymar, the truth of the matter is that Neymar has yet to make his mark in European football in the same vein as some of his aforementioned compatriots. Because the hugely talented Neymar remains in an embryonic stage of his footballing career, at least as of yet, the strength of the Brazilian national team lies in its overall cohesion, defensive prowess and a midfield bursting with pace and creativity. Fans should watch for the following five components of the Brazilian national football team’s play as the tournament kicks off with Brazil v. Croatia on Thursday June 12 and as the tournament unfolds.

1. Neymar.

All eyes should, of course, be on Neymar, the Barcelona striker wearing Brazil’s famed number 10 jersey, the shirt number worn by Brazilian footballing greats such as Pele, Zico, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. His dribbling skills, pace and acceleration render him very difficult to mark, particularly given his tendency to vary his play by retreating into midfield and pop up all over the pitch to lose his assigned marker. Like Pele, Neymar is more of a team player than Brazil footballing legend Ronaldo and dictates the rhythm of the game more so than most pure strikers. This is Neymar’s first World Cup on home soil in an environment where he has the confidence, trust and admiration of the coaches and trainers who brought him to the verge of footballing greatness. Expect him to shine on the world stage just as he did at the 2013 Confederations Cup, when he scored crucial goals against four time World Cup champions Italy and World Cup champions Spain.

2. The marauding fullbacks, Marcelo and Dani Alves.

Watch closely the degree to watch Marcelo and Dani Alves run forward and join the Brazilian attack. With Alves and Marcelo unleashed from their defensive responsibilities, Brazil play with six attackers in the form of the two fullbacks, Neymar, Fred, Hulk and Oscar. Alves represents one of the more experienced players in the squad and can shoot from distance as well as set pieces. Marcelo, meanwhile, should be expected to cut diagonally inside from the left flank and supplement the Brazilian attack just as he did in inspiring Real Madrid’s comeback victory in the 2014 Champions League final against Atletico Madrid. Marcelo and Alves take over from the legendary Roberto Carlos and Cafu from Brazil's World Cup 2002 team and are crucial to giving width to the Brazilian attack.

3. Oscar.

After a disappointing latter half to the season at Chelsea, Oscar has continued his poor run of form in the two warm up games against Panama and Serbia. That said, his wife just gave birth to their first child and he is also widely regarding to be recovering from the effects of a long, hard season for Chelsea in which he played extensively in their league and European competitions. At his best, he runs the midfield like a maestro in addition to applying relentless pressure in the latter third of the field to win back the ball. Like Neymar, Oscar sees the entire field of play and can craft combination plays and ways of breaking down defenses that qualifies him as one of the world’s most creative midfielders.

4. The partnership of David Luiz and Thiago Silva

Watch closely to understand the chemistry between Thiago Silva and David Luiz in central defense. Luiz is legendary for having an off day, but is otherwise one of the best central defenders in the world playing alongside the world’s greatest central defender in the form of Thiago Silva, the team captain. If Silva and Luiz gel, opponents will find it exceedingly difficult to score against Brazil, particularly since they will have to face the likes of Luiz Gustavo dropping back to help out with defense as Marcelo and Dani Alves surge forward.

5. Fred

As Brazil’s principal centreforward, Fred is known for his ruthless, predatory instincts in the box that leave him lunging for the slightest touch on the ball that will send it into the back of the net. Whereas Neymar and Oscar are concerned about artistry, Fred concerns himself with goalscoring, whether it be from a rebound, a carom, a fumble in the box or a clear cut opportunity to strike on goal. Fred seems to have recovered from a lengthy thigh injury that left him indisposed for Fluminense for several months and finally appears fit and hungry for goals. Brazil needs Fred to shine in order to complement the off-game in which Neymar struggles.

Neymar Challenges World Cup Fans To Improve Water Quality In Brazil Via Partnership With PayPal

Brazilian and Barcelona FC striker Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior has partnered with Waves for Water and PayPal to help Brazilian communities in need obtain clean water in conjunction with the kickoff of the World Cup in Brazil on June 12. Neymar’s “Neymar Jr. Project Institute” will collaborate with PayPal to enable PayPal users to make donations on behalf of any of the 32 countries that qualified to participate in the 2014 World Cup of football, hosted in Brazil. The donations made by PayPal users will be counted by the country targeted for donation in order to encourage donors to compete for the designation of the country that solicited the most contributions toward clean water in Brazil. Donations will be stewarded by Waves for Water, an international NGO, to buy water filters to purify water in each of the 12 cities in which World Cup matches will be played, in addition to surrounding locales in need. The partnership between the Neymar Jr. Project Institute, PayPal and Waves for Water recognizes continued economic inequality and poverty in Brazil despite Brazil’s explosive economic growth in recent years.

Neymar commented on PayPal’s support of Waves for Water as follows:

I am extremely proud to work with PayPal to support Waves for Water. It deeply saddens me that so many people from my home country of Brazil have limited access to clean water, a gift so many of us take for granted. Through this campaign I hope we can touch people’s lives in a meaningful way and raise enough funds to bring safe, clean water to communities in need across my beloved Brazil.

Waves for Water purchases and distributes water filters to facilitate the purification of water for communities that face challenges associated with procuring clean water such as cholera, dysentery, girardia, and contamination by sewage and urine. Filters can be installed on indoor or outdoor faucets, or containers that hold water used for public consumption. PayPal users can donate funds toward the goal of clean water in Brazil at the Competition for Good website between now and July 13 or through their PayPal mobile app between June 12 and July 13. Users of the Competition for Good website simply pick a country and the amount of the donation to allow the website to display comparative statistics on which country has donated most toward the humanitarian cause of clean water.

The collaboration between the Neymar Jr. Project Institute, PayPal and Waves for Water represents the first time in the history of the World Cup that organizations from the public and private sector have pooled resources toward the end of improving water quality within the host nation. The effort to bring clean water to Brazil as a result of the World Cup represents a notable counterweight to the protests against the World Cup last summer that originated from the position that the World Cup fostered economic inequality in Brazil. The collaboration to fund clean water underscores the possibilities for the World Cup to foster economic and social development and suggests ways in which FIFA and other global sponsors could follow the lead set by Neymar by developing analogous programs that illustrate the World Cup’s potential to serve as a win-win scenario both for FIFA, the host nation and the Brazilian people. Meanwhile, World Cup poster boy Neymar touchingly exhorted fans to contribute by noting in a blog post, "PayPal and I will announce the winning country the week of July 14th. We hope we can touch people’s lives in a meaningful way and raise enough funds to bring safe, clean water to communities in need across my beloved country – but we need your help!"

Brazil Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari Picks World Cup Squad Marked By Quality And Depth

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari today announced his 23 man squad for the 2014 World Cup after having revealed eight names of the squad over the last month, or nine if one were to include Neymar. As expected, Scolari remained loyal to players that he has worked with in the past and consequently, the squad featured few surprises. 16 of the 23 players selected for the 2014 World Cup featured in Brazil’s 2013 Confederations Cup squad that decisively beat Spain 3-0 in the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Highlights of the final 23 man selection include the following:

Inclusions

•AS Roma’s Maicon and Paris Saint-Germain’s Maxwell as backups to first choice fullbacks Dani Alves and Marcelo, respectively
•Fernandinho and Ramires in midfield despite not having participated in the 2013 Confederations Cup
•Hernanes despite a lackluster season at Inter Milan and difficulty obtaining consistent playing time
•Napoli’s Henrique as a backup central defender to complement Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Dante

Exclusions

•Former stars Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho
•Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, Santos’s Leandro Damiao and Sao Paulo’s Paulo Henrique Ganso were all omitted from the squad but may well form part of Scolari’s list of 7 backup players
•The refusal to select Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis, despite having had a tremendous season at the club level
•The omission of defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva of Liverpool

Overall, Scolari has selected a fearsome squad with enviable quality and depth in central defense, amongst the fullbacks and in midfield. Interestingly, “Big Phil” chose to tip the balance of his midfield selection in favor of attacking midfielders, with Luiz Gustavo being the only pure holding midfielder in defensive midfield. While Paulinho, Fernandinho and Hernanes can play in deep midfield positions, they are equally accustomed to more attacking midfield positions as well, a quality that could become useful in the event that Oscar fails to recover from injury or perform well behind the triumvirate attack force of Neymar, Fred and Hulk. But Scolari’s decision to choose Willian and Bernard in midfield over Lucas Leiva, for example, suggests that he will be looking for goals from attacking midfield positions as much as from the strikers. Although many commentators, including Pele and Jairzinho, have criticized the squad for lacking brand name stars in the vein of Ronaldinho or Ronaldo from years past, Scolari has picked a young, talented squad with greater depth than Brazil’s World Cup squads of 2010 and 2006. The team is hugely talented in defense and midfield and composed of young players that are hungry for silverware, in addition to 6 players that have World Cup experience in the form of Dani Alves, Maicon, Thiago Silva, Fred, Ramires and Julio Cesar.

Brazil Squad For 2014 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Júlio César (Toronto FC), Jéfferson (Botafogo), Victor (Grêmio).
Central Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli)
Fullbacks: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Hernanes (Internazionale), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk).
Strikers: Neymar (Barcelona), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Jô (Atlético Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense).

A Preview Of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Likely Brazil Squad For The 2014 World Cup

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will announce his 23 man squad for the 2014 World Cup on May 7 after recently revealing 8 members of the squad in the form of potential captains Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Julio Cesar and Fred and the Premier League quartet of Oscar, Willian, Ramires and Paulinho. "Big Phil," who previously led Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, has said that he has not revealed the remaining 15 players to anyone, including his wife, although he did note that they could be reasonably deciphered based on his previous history of squad selections and conversations with players. Scolari and Brazil’s technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira have taken two positions on their final roster for the 2014 World Cup. On one hand, Parreira has maintained that the squad will contain no surprises as measured by previous call-ups and squad selections for Brazil’s friendlies and competitive games. On the other hand, Scolari has staunchly asserted that his final squad selection will be influenced heavily by the performance of his players at their clubs, particularly in the final third of the season.

Given those disclaimers in mind, former World Cup Champions Ronaldinho and Kaka look set not to make the initial 23 man roster, with Ronaldinho, in particular, almost definitively exiled from the squad. Brazil’s squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup, in which Brazil lifted the trophy and beat teams such as France, Mexico, Italy and Spain en route to the title, provides a useful guide to a preliminary look at the World Cup squad.

Looking ahead to the Brazil 2014 World Cup squad, however, we should expect a handful of changes both in midfield and in defense, particularly with respect to backup selections for central defenders Thiago Silva and David Luiz, fullbacks Dani Alves and Marcelo and the midfield triumvirate of Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho and Oscar. In the left back position, Scolari will need to choose either Maxwell or Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis as the backup for Real Madrid’s Marcelo. Maxwell’s wealth of experience and partnership alongside Thiago Silva at Paris Saint-Germain means that he has a slight edge over Filipe Luis, but Luis boasts more recent experience defending against Lionel Messi, which could prove critical if Brazil were to face Argentina in the latter stages of the tournament. Meanwhile, AS Roma’s Maicon and Bayern Munich’s Rafinha will battle it out for the position of backup to Dani Alves, with Maicon likely to make the cut given his 2010 World Cup experience and comfort surging forward to join the attack.

In midfield, Ramires returns to the squad and is likely to be accompanied by Fernandinho, both of whom replace Porto’s Fernando and Jadson. Because Willian has already earned a place in the squad, the wild card midfield spot goes to either Lucas Leiva, Hernanes, Lucas Moura or Phillipe Coutinho. Given Scolari’s emphasis on defense, Lucas Leiva looks likely to earn a World Cup spot and provide further steel to a squad that is built around its defensive prowess and ability to win back the ball in midfield. Either Oscar, Willian or Ramires will function as the playmaker behind the attacking trio of Neymar, Fred and Hulk as follows:

Brazil Squad For World Cup 2014 (Projected)

Goalkeepers: Júlio César (Toronto FC), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Jefferson (Botafogo)
Central Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Réver (Atletico Mineiro), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich)
Fullbacks: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Oscar (Chelsea), Ramires (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Bernard (Shaktar Donetsk), Willian (Chelsea)
Strikers: Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit), Neymar (Santos)

The starting lineup in attack will remain the same as the 2013 Confederations Cup, with Fred in a centerforward position and Neymar on the left, with Hulk on the right. All in all, Scolari has at its disposal a mouthwatering squad for Brazil that is highly balanced and bursting with young players who are eager to make their mark on the world stage. Willian can substitute for Fred if required and Bernard represents a dangerous attacking option to complement Neymar and Hulk. Brazil has the most complete squad in the world today and will be very difficult to beat on home soil, particularly if they can build on their strengths in defense and free up the creative players to express themselves in the latter third of the park.

Fred Claims Full Fitness After Months Long Thigh Injury Saga

According to Sambafoot, Fluminense striker Fred has assured Brazil fans that he is fully fit and aspires to score goals soon to clinch his place in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad for the 2014 World Cup. The news of Fred’s fitness comes as an unexpected twist in a months-long injury saga that had many Brazil fans doubting whether he would be fit for the World Cup at all. The prospect of Fred’s impending return to the Selecao for the March 5 friendly against South Africa comes in the wake of intensified debate about the quality of Brazil’s strikeforce with World Cup winners Rivelino (1970) and Edmilson (2002) amongst the chorus of commentators that have delivered scathing critiques about the quality of Brazil’s attack. Rivelino, for example, criticized the selection of Hulk by claiming that his inclusion in the squad was intended primarily to distract defenders and thereby create more space for midfielders such as Oscar and Paulinho to come forward. Rivelino was also quick to note the quality of Brazil’s defense as well as the corresponding mediocrity of its attack, with the exception of Neymar. Assuming Fred is fit and selected for the 2014 World Cup as planned, he will bear the weight of the number 9 jersey, which—during Scolari’s previous tenure as coach of the Brazil squad—was worn by none other than Brazil’s Ronaldo in a tournament in which he scored 8 goals, including 2 in the final against Germany in 2002.

Neymar Scores Screamer Against Rayo Vallecano

In the February 15 La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano, Neymar picked up the ball near centre circle, fought off one challenge, sprinted toward the box and dispatched this screamer of a shot into the top left corner of the net. This was Neymar’s first match back from injury and he was quick to show the footballing world that he will be a force to be reckoned with at the 2014 World Cup. This was Neymar’s 12th goal of the season and his 7th league goal for Barcelona. The goal capped a 6-0 demolition of Rayo Vallencano by Barcelona.

Scolari Closes In On 2014 World Cup Roster With Europe-based Player Selections For South Africa Friendly

Today, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari announced the selection of 16, Europe-based players for Brazil's friendly against South Africa on March 5. The squad selection featured few surprises and suggests that Scolari and technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira are closing in on their final roster for World Cup 2014. Robinho and Kaka, for example, were omitted from the squad in the clearest indication to date that neither AC Milan player will feature in World Cup 2014. Bayern Munich right back Rafinha represented the most surprising inclusion in the squad for the South Africa friendly. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Fernandinho was also included after several stellar performances at the club level led to rumors of his impending recall.

Highlights of the squad selection are as follows:

•Selection of the defensive triumvirate of David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Dante for the two slots in Brazil's central defensive midfield
•Continuation of the defensive midfield partnership of Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho, although we should expect to see Fernandinho at some point in the friendly against South Africa
•Oscar or Ramires will earn the playmaker role behind the attacking triumvirate of Neymar, Willian and Hulk
•Bernard and Ramires may play wide roles to substitute for Neymar and Hulk, depending on fitness and form
•Julio Cesar retains his spot in the squad despite performing in scarcely a handful of games at QPR

Notable exclusions include Lucas Leiva due to injury, and Hernanes. Scolari spoke of the decision to include Fernandinho and Rafinha as follows:

Fernandinho's been playing really well for Manchester [City], he's been attracting attention ... so here's his opportunity…Rafinha's also been playing really well for Bayern. He's had experience of playing for the national team at other levels.

In addition to the players announced today, Scolari plans to pick three or four Brazil-based players in late February or early March because many have yet to achieve full fitness given the late start specific to the Brazilian domestic football calendar. Possible domestic players that may be up for selection include Dede, Leandro Damiao, Paulo Henrique Ganso and goalkeeper Jefferson. Meanwhile, the drama about Fluminense striker Fred continues as he struggles to recover from a lingering thigh injury in time for the World Cup.

Provisional Squad For March 5, Brazi v. South Africa friendly in Soccer City, Johannesburg

Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar (QPR)

Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Rafinha (Bayer Munich), Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea)

Strikers: Neymar (Barcelona), Willian (Chelsea), Hulk (Zenit), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk)