Page by: Kevin He (Apr 2016)
Current FIFA Ranking: 7
Historical Tournament Record: 8-time winner, 29 total Top 4 finishes
Manager: Dunga (Brazil)
Overview
Brazil is a mainstay at the top of the FIFA rankings, boasting a 3rd place average ranking since the ranking system was created. A consistent powerhouse team, this squad is always a contender at any tournament. In recent years they have seen a slide to #18, but Brazil is back in the top 10 and likely looks to prove themselves at the Copa America this year. They might come out extra hungry for redemption after their poor finish last year at this same tourney resulted in a failure to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup for the first time in 20 years.
Fans of the team hoping to see the slick, mohawked Brazilian captain Neymar strut his stuff will be out of luck, however. Barcelona will only allow him to play in one of this summer’s two major tournaments – the Olympics, or the Copa America – and Neymar wishes to represent his national team in Rio [1]. Neymar’s absence, as one of the deadliest offensive threats on the squad, may dampen Brazil’s chances of a solid run. On top of that, there are actually 3 teams ranked higher than Brazil playing at Copa America 2016: Argentina (1), Chile (3), and Colombia (4). Ecuador, who is also in Group B, comes in ranked 12th, presenting an opposition that should not be sneezed at. Mexico, coming in closely behind in 16th, will also be stiff competition. Brazil is not going to have an easy road to the finals, if that is what they are looking for.
Players to Watch
Jonas “Pistolas” Goncalves Oliveira
Club: Benefica | Position: Forward | Nationality: Brazilian
Jonas is one of Brazil’s finest strikers. He was given the nickname “Pistolas” in the Portuguese league for his scoring capabilities, and he has earned it: in 31 appearances for Benefica this season, he’s scored 31 goals, becoming the club’s top scorer in the past 2 decades. Just last year, Jonas led his team to its 34th Primeira Liga championship title with 20 goals in the regular season. Look for Jonas to be a leading goal threat for Brazil, especially with Neymar out.
Dani Alves
Club: Barcelona | Position: Right Back | Nationality: Brazilian
Dani Alves has made 89 appearances for the Brazilian national squad, making him by far the longest tenured member of the team. A defender with fantastic stamina and the ability to cover a lot of ground, Alves can frequently join in on the attacking end of the pitch “without neglecting his defensive duties” [2]. He is “a free kick specialist, and is highly renowned for his crossing ability,” and this is what makes him such a potent player. He always has a massive impact on the game, and such all-around talent is rare in a defender. Brazil will likely look to his leadership to guide them in this tournament.
Manager
Dunga was Brazil’s manager from 2006 to 2010, at which point he was dismissed by the Brazilian Football Confederation. He was later reappointed as manager in 2014, and remains the current manager of the team. He was originally a player himself, appearing in a total of 91 games internationally with the squad and contributing to their 1994 World Cup title. Dunga was actually the manager of the Brazilian team when they last won the Copa America in 2007. As the head coach, Dunga has made several controversial decisions, particularly with roster selections. Most recently, he declined to include Marcelo on the World Cup 2018 team, sparking a feud between Real Madrid (Marcelo’s club team) and Brazil [3]. He was also criticized for not bringing Neymar onto the squad for the 2010 World Cup. Overall, Dunga has found relative success as a manager, with a ~75% win rate over 87 games coached [4].
Sources
[1] Gonzalez, Roger. “Barcelona: Neymar Won’t Play for Brazil in Copa America Centenario.” CBSSports.com. N.p., 3 Apr. 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/eye-on-soccer/25540873/barcelona-neymar-wont-play-for-brazil-in-copa-america-centenario>.
[2] Dani Alves Player Profile. <http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/staff/players/alves>.
[3] Rainbow, Jamie. “Real Madrid Player Has Wrong Attitude for Brazil, Says Dunga.” World Soccer. N.p., 15 Apr. 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <http://www.worldsoccer.com/news/real-madrid-player-has-wrong-attitude-for-brazil-says-dunga-370112>.
[4] “Dunga.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 01 May 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunga>.
How to cite this page:
“Brazil” Written by Kevin He (28 April 2016), Copa America Centenario 2016, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/copa-america-centenario-2016-guide/copa-america-centenario-2016-team-guide/brazil/ (accessed on (date))