The pursuit of a record-extending sixth World Cup title continues to elude Brazil. Their recent 2-1 defeat to Norway in the knockout stage means they have now gone six consecutive tournaments without claiming the championship, leading some to refer to this period as the reverse hexa.
The backlash from fans and analysts back home has been harsh. Neto, a former Brazilian international turned pundit at Radio Bandeirantes, criticized the current squad, stating, “It’s a generation that won fuck all,”
Even Carlo Ancelotti, who received accolades for his strategic choices during Brazil’s earlier 2-1 victory over Japan, has faced scrutiny. Cahê Mota, writing for Globoesporte, remarked that the coach’s substitutions against Norway only exacerbated the situation.
“There are six players who won one Copa América and that’s it. It was embarrassing from the beginning and everything that happened before that game. It was a shameful campaign and these guys are losers. It’s a generation of lies.”
Criticism of Tactical Decisions
Mota further noted that a missed penalty by Bruno Guimarães could have changed the trajectory of the match. He added, “The Seleção are out of the World Cup and Ancelotti’s plan failed. Brazil bet on a booby-trap game: they gave the ball to Norway and bet on a transition at speed. It worked very little. “The penalty missed by Bruno Guimarães would have given the game a different shape, but the Seleção bet big on a style that does not match its tradition and they did not know how to be lethal when they had chances. You can’t even regret it. You can’t say there was injustice. You can’t even say the defeat happened but we played like Brazil.”
Calls for Change in Leadership
Calls for Ancelotti’s dismissal have emerged, especially after the Brazilian Football Confederation extended his contract shortly before the tournament. The manager’s management of Neymar has also sparked debate among supporters. Fans of Neymar argue that had he started the match, he would have converted Brazil’s first-half penalty and potentially shifted the game’s momentum.
Conversely, critics assert that introducing Neymar, the country’s all-time leading scorer, weakened Brazil’s grip on the game. Mauro pointed out, “It’s shameful to see a Brazil team, which for years has relied on marketing ploys like ‘joga bonito’, having a strategy to give the ball to the opponent and only play in transition,”
Neymar’s Exit and Future Aspirations
Neymar, who earned his first cap in New Jersey back in 2010, has announced his retirement from international football after achieving 130 caps and scoring 80 goals. He reflected, “The poor quality of Carlo Ancelotti’s work is embarrassing.”
Many Brazilians are calling for a complete overhaul, suggesting that Neymar, Casemiro, and their contemporaries step aside. Optimistic fans hope for a resurgence of talents reminiscent of Brazil’s glorious past, particularly in midfield and defense. The immediate focus now shifts to the Copa América in two years, which will likely be held in the United States. Should Ancelotti perform poorly at that tournament, it is unlikely he will fulfill his £8.5 million-a-year contract.
