Why Brazil became a washed nation & how they can return to their prime?

The Selecao suffered one of the most devastating defeats at the hands of Argentina.

Brazil’s failure to qualify would have been a real concern in any previous World Cup. Not now, given how their status as a most formidable side in football has fallen off.

Brazil have a six-point lead over Venezuela, which recently recorded their first win in ten games in an expanded competition where six South American teams advance automatically.

It is inconceivable to imagine Brazil not reaching the cut with four rounds remaining. However, that isn’t really the purpose.

World Cup qualifiers now has a single function for Brazil: they offer a series of competitive games in which they aim to assemble a team that can take home the trophy. That seems a long way off, as 2026 is only over a year away.

It’s easy to lose focus on how good Brazil were at the last World Cup, where they succumbed to Croatia on penalties in the quarterfinals after Croatia’s lone goal attempt was cruelly deflected.

Goalie Alisson Becker could have played most of the games on a deck chair. The Qatar 2022 Brazil team was strong and had moments of genius. They had a chance to win that contest.

Why, therefore, have they retreated so much? How is it possible for a team with so many talented players to be such a miserable unit?

It seemed as though the team that lost to Argentina 4-1 on Tuesday lacked a hold in midfield and was incapable of attacking or defending.

What are Brazil lacking in games?

The protracted humiliation on Tuesday was not unexpected.

The team has appeared inconsistent in each game, lacking clear plans for moving the ball down the field and facing the threat of being outnumbered and outplayed in central midfield.

Individual skills have filled the gaps. For example, on Thursday, they defeated Colombia with a stoppage-time with Vinicius Jr.’s stunner giving them the win.

However, it cannot occur continuously.

Coaching in Brazil is in trouble. Without employment security and training time, it is difficult to generate coaches. This is the reality of Brazilian domestic football, which explains why nearly all of the nation’s top coaches are now foreigners, particularly Portuguese or Argentine.

Dorival Jr., the national manager—for the time being, anyway—has over forty years of experience as a coach and player and is a native of the domestic game.

However, he appears to be a good man who is completely out of his element on the global scene.

Brazil are winless in their last five games vs. Argentina:❌ Nov. 2019: 1-0 L ❌ July 2021: 1-0 L➖ Nov. 2021: 0-0 D❌ Nov. 2023: 1-0 L❌ Mar. 2025: 4-1 L pic.twitter.com/s0WWuJs9J5

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 26, 2025

Did he truly believe he could play two players in central midfield while travelling to Argentina? Why not drop deep, like he did against England at Wembley a year ago, and open up space for the counterattack? Additionally, when his staff was needed to provide a solution, all of them turned into a bag of nerves.

Picking the team, deciding on a plan, and setting the emotional tone are the three responsibilities of a coach. Dorival failed miserably at all three, and it is difficult to see how he will be able to continue in his position.

There appear to be two choices if he is to be replaced. Going overseas is one option; Jorge Jesus, a Portuguese coach, would be a good fit. Fast-tracking former Chelsea left-back Filipe Luis, a bright man who has had a stellar start to his managerial career with Rio giants Flamengo, would be another alternative.

Is Neymar still the solution to Selecao’s poor performance?

It was inevitable that Neymar would experience fitness issues after being sidelined for so long. He would require a lot more playing time to gradually return to a position where he is at his peak fitness level, which means he still has time to and could return to the national team for the June international break.

He is not an unknown talent at 33. However, the squad has a huge void for the kind of deep-lying playmaker position he could play.

Romantics may remember 2002 when Ronaldo appeared completely beyond his prime and washed up before making a spectacular comeback from injury and leading a nearly-qualifying Brazil team to the fifth World Cup title.

One of the biggest mysteries in the world is how did Neymar manage to become the top scorer & assister of the Seleção with THESE guys around him. pic.twitter.com/idzDrq1en7

— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) March 26, 2025

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