Brazil finished as a major force in International football

[Royal Rother]

Instead of the wonderful instinctive players of yesteryear now we have a bunch of mercenaries trained to cheat like virtually no other team before them.

Their focus is no longer on the beautiful game but on the money and the pressure to win at all costs has had the exact opposite effect. It's developed a loser's mentality.

Against Paraguay last night, in the 1st half they had 1, just 1, touch in the opposition penalty area. How the hell...?

Despite having the 3rd highest possession in the tournament they had committed the 5th highest number of fouls - some feat as it's hard to foul when you've got the ball. (Argentina and Chile, top 2 in possession stats, have also the bottom 2 in the fouls committed list.)

Returning to Dunga was, as I predicted at the time, a certain path to further humiliation. The guy is a nutter, was an unimaginative stopper as a player, despite WC success intensely disliked even in his own country because he is completely unable to inspire his players to play the Brazilian way of old - he couldn't play that way himself and never believed in it in the 1st place.

A disastrous reappointment.

Nobody else in the world likes them anymore and even Brazil's own supporters are falling out of love with the team. They are fast becoming a joke across the globe.

15 years ago a Brazilian youth national team used to leave their opponents waiting in the tunnel before charging out of their dressing room screaming and spitting at them. That scandalous intimidation was a tactic then that usually seemed to work - but was an indicator of just how far they were sinking. That same generation, and the one immediately after it, are now representing their country... Is it any wonder they are a shameful shadow of the greats that graced the game in years gone by?

[Sutekh]

Instead of the wonderful instinctive players of yesteryear now we have a bunch of mercenaries trained to cheat like virtually no other team before them.

Brazil diving/cheating is not new

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiW0IPrv1Ro

[Mr Angry]

Let's also not forget that according to leaked reports, it isn't Dunga who actually pick's the squad or the team - it's Nike, who select players on their marketability, and who insist on certain players always playing, unless certified unfit by a Nike doctor.

[Ian Royal]

That's hard to believe and batcrap crazy if true.

[Winston Smith]

trained to cheat like virtually no other team before them.

You are aware of the famously ugly history of South American football I take it?

[Royal Rother]

It was a rant mate, don't pick it apart.

[Royalist]

When was the last time Brazil played in a 'Brazilian' way? It's all a myth based on the legend of past teams isn't it?

[Mr Angry]

That's hard to believe and batcrap crazy if true.

Apologies; NOT Nike.......but ISE, a Cayman Island's registered subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Multi National, Dallah Al Baraka.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 59702.html

[sandman]

That's hard to believe and batcrap crazy if true.

Anyone who saw the 98 World Cup Final would say that it's not that hard to believe or too crazy and that it's probably been going on for a lot longer than 2006.

[Royal Rother]

That's hard to believe and batcrap crazy if true.

Apologies; NOT Nike.......but ISE, a Cayman Island's registered subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Multi National, Dallah Al Baraka.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 59702.html

I wasn't aware of that.

I'm a right fcuking cynic when it comes to corruption and all-round shittiness of the top end of professional football but even I find that pretty extraordinary.

[Kitsondinho]

When was the last time Brazil played in a 'Brazilian' way? It's all a myth based on the legend of past teams isn't it?

I'd say the W.Cup '98 and '02 teams who finished runners up and winners were the last teams to play in a more Brizilian style. Yes, neither team had the overall class of '70 or '82 but they at least played entertaining football......unlike the current Brazilian national team. In both WC14 and Copa15, they've looked lost without Neymar. The '98/'02 teams could boast Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu...all of those names would walk into the current side.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu...all of those names would walk into the current side.

The'd have to walk - they've got an average weight of 23 stone these days.

[Kitsondinho]

Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu...all of those names would walk into the current side.

The'd have to walk - they've got an average weight of 23 stone these days.

Cafu would still be more useful than David Luiz at the back though....

[From Despair To Where?]

That's hard to believe and batcrap crazy if true.

Apologies; NOT Nike.......but ISE, a Cayman Island's registered subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Multi National, Dallah Al Baraka.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 59702.html

You're not far wide of the mark with Nike, they used to practically own the CBF in the 90's and used the team as a mobile marketing tool, dictating where and when the team would go off on exhibition matches all around the world.

[Royal Rother]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/bl ... d-cup-2018

[Royal Rother]

0-0 v South Africa
0-0 v Iraq

Fans not too bothered - those that are are turning against the team, especially Neymar.

[Stranded]

0-0 v South Africa
0-0 v Iraq

Fans not too bothered - those that are are turning against the team, especially Neymar.

Then they won the last game 4-0 and topped the group.

These games are very poorly attended throughout but the fans will come if they reach the semis.

[maffff]

Doesn't help that Neymar never looks like he gives a shit for them. He's been getting so much abuse the last couple of years, could see him quitting international football in the near future.

[Stranded]

And in the semis they now are with a very winnable game v Honduras.

Looking very likely to be a Brazil v Germany final now, although Nigeria are a good outside bet.

[Winston Smith]

At 24 years old, Neymar becomes Brazil's joint 4th highest ever top scorer (he has played sh*t loads of friendlies though)

1. Pele: 77
2. Ronaldo: 62
3. Romario: 55
4. Zico, Neymar: 48
6. Bebeto: 39
7. Rivaldo: 35
8. Jairzinho, Ronaldinho: 33
9. Ademir, Tostao: 32