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PARIS. — With a month to go until the World Cup, it is Brazil who have earned the tag of favourites as the South Americans seek to win the trophy for the sixth time while Europe’s football heavyweights are plagued by question marks about form and fitness.
What happened in the past may be irrelevant, particularly in the first World Cup in the Middle East and the first to be played in November and December.
But history might play a part as all of the Brazilians’ last four World Cup triumphs came outside of Europe.
If they crumbled under the pressure as hosts in 2014 and underperformed in Russia four years ago, they head to Qatar on a formidable run and with a strong squad not overly reliant on Neymar.
He will still attract the most attention, but coach Tite has a formidable squad from Alisson Becker in goal, to the steel of Fabinho and Casemiro in midfield, the pace of Vinicius Junior and the goal threat of Roberto Firmino and Richarlison.
“Brazil today are much more prepared and experienced. They don’t depend on one player,” Selecao legend Cafu recently told Globoesporte.
“We have a team that will allow that player to stand out. I think Brazil look good and have a good chance of winning the World Cup.”
The big question mark surrounding Brazil, however, is that they have not been tested by leading European opposition since Belgium dumped Tite’s side out of the 2018 World Cup in the quarter-finals.
In contrast, Argentina pitted their wits against Italy earlier this year in London and the Copa America winners triumphed 3-0.
The two-time world champions are also heading to Qatar in good shape, unbeaten in 35 games since losing to Brazil at the 2019 Copa America.
Currently ranked third in the world, coach Lionel Scaloni does not have the same depth of quality as Brazil but there are enough good players to bring out the best in Lionel Messi, scorer of nine goals in his country’s last three games.
At 35, this is Messi’s last chance to win a World Cup and that motivation could be powerful. “It is very likely my last World Cup, yes,” Messi told ESPN recently.
“We come into it with a well-equipped and strong squad, but anything can happen. Every game is so difficult and it is not always the favourites who win it.”
Just look at France in 2002, when a team led by an injured Zinedine Zidane went to South Korea as the holders and reigning European champions, only to crash out in the group stage without scoring a goal. — AFP.
Online Reporter