Brazil at a crossroads: The post-Neymar era and the urgency for a project
The insightful analysis from renowned English commentator Tim Vickery sheds light on a crucial moment for the Brazil national team. In his view, Brazilian football is facing a dilemma, and the figure of Neymar, once undisputed, now seems to belong to a past that the team needs to overcome to embrace a promising future. The discussion delves into the need for restructuring, especially in the midfield, and highlights the importance of a long-term project, beyond makeshift solutions.
The match against Norway exposed latent fragilities. The attacking movement that earned a penalty, while positive, did not mask defensive difficulties, evidenced by Casemiro‘s struggle to cover large spaces. The absence of Lucas Paquetá accentuated a lack of creativity and dependence on more vertical play, something that Norway itself exploited after tactical adjustments. The comparison with the midfield of historic Brazilian teams, such as the 1982 squad, underscores the current prevalence of explosive players over playmaking abilities.
The End of a Cycle and the Need for Renewal
For Tim Vickery, Neymar‘s participation in the World Cup was misguided. The commentator argues that the forward, returning from injury and visibly out of shape, did not justify his call-up based on established merit criteria. Neymar‘s inclusion, according to the analysis, hampered the team’s performance, altering its characteristics and pushing other players out of their comfort zones.
“Neymar no longer tracks back to defend, he no longer has the speed or mobility. Playing as a center forward, he ended up pushing Vini and Endrick away from the box, precisely where they perform best. As a result, the team became more exposed. Neymar still scored from a penalty at the end. In my opinion, he perhaps should have even been sent off for a moment of losing control. I say all this with respect, because Neymar was a player of extraordinary, wonderful skill. But that page has been turned. Brazil can think about the future without him.”
A Long-Term Project, Not a Band-Aid
The early elimination and the below-par performance against Norway demand deep reflection. Vickery emphasizes that Brazil doesn’t need “a Band-Aid, it needs surgery,” calling for a long-term project. The central question now is whether Carlo Ancelotti, despite his recognized quality, is the right man to lead this restructuring. Assimilating this defeat, which prevented access to the quarterfinals, will certainly be a painful and lengthy process for Brazilian football. The future of the Brazil national team calls for a new direction, where the formation of a robust midfield and the exploitation of young talent are priorities, paving the way for new glories without relying on figures from the past.
