Team profile: Brazil

1.2205778-1194025561 — Neymar scored his 50th goal for Brazil in 3-0 win over Argentina. Image Credit: Reuters

Appearances: 21
Best finish: Champions 5 times – 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Manager: Tite
Star player: Neymar

They may have ended champions on a record five occasions – the last one coming way back in 2002 – but they are yet to prove they are the best in the world as they’ve struggled quite a bit during the past three editions. During the last edition held on home soil, the Selecao was booed away after they got hammered 7-1 by eventual champions Germany.

However, fortunes have changed for the South American giants since Tite took over after the 2015 Copa America. In fact, they were the first side to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. Not ones to shy away, the Samba boys have gone through some high-profile friendly matches – including one against hosts Russia on March 23 followed by a revenge encounter against Germany on March 27.
Eventually, Brazil showed they had managed to catch up with the world champions as a 37th minute goal from Gabriel Jesus was just enough to snatch a well-deserved win in Munich. Next up for Tite’s side will be a couple of friendly matches - against Croatia on June 3 followed by their last one against Austria on June 10.

There is no doubt that Tite has managed to transform the giants into a winning band of players. During his build-up the coach has opted to keep out some high-profile names including the likes of Alex Sandro and Danilo. The good news, however, is that the injured superstar Neymar may eventually play, and that will make a huge difference for the former five-time champions and world No.2 team.

Brazil begin their campaign in Russia against Switzerland on June 17, followed by Costa Rica on June 22 and finally Serbia on June 27. And at stake will be honour and pride of a nation that breathes and lives football. And with that in mind, Brazil will definitely be looking at a record sixth world crown.