Previewing Tite’s Brazil Side For The FIFA World Cup 2022
By Tanish Menon
Brazil are favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2022.
It’s been nearly 12 years since the golden generation of Brazil last lifted the coveted World Cup title in Yokohama and 12 years on, they travel to Qatar as the favorites to win it once again this winter.
Brazil were quite recently beaten by Argentina in the Copa America final. However, despite the setbacks Tite has managed to assemble a squad oozing in quality as well as experience which could steer them to glory in the Middle East.
The Selecao finally have a team they can be proud of after years of underwhelming and horrifying performances.
The 26-man squad which will be travelling to Qatar is as follows:
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Goalkeepers: Allison, Ederson, Weverton.
The Selecao have been blessed with not one but two top quality keepers of this decade with Allison and Ederson. Brazil have also brought in veteran keeper Weverton from Palmeiras to boost depth options. Tite will definitely have his work cut out for him with both keepers vying to compete for the number 1 spot for Brazil.
Defenders: Dani Alves, Danilo, Eder Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Gleison Bremer, Alex Sandro, Alex Telles.
This is yet another department where Brazil possess pretty good depth and would most definitely terrorize opposition attacks. With Roberto Firmino out of contention, Tite has called upon some of the most decorated players of the sport – Dani Alves and Thiago Silva to add some much-needed experience in that backline.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta.
The Selecao are renowned across the world for fielding some of the most iconic midfielders of all time. From Kaka, Socrates and Ronaldinho to Zico, Rivaldo and Romario, the country has seen football royalty adorn the yellow shirt and so it is understandable that the drop off in quality is hard to see.
However, players like Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Fabinho are certainly not to be slept on. Moreover, Tite has brought in decent depth options with Fred, Lucas Paqueta and Everton Ribeiro all making the trip to Qatar.
Forwards: Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Pedro, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Richarlison.
The Selecao have one of the best assembled forward lines in this edition of the World Cup.
Brazil have also brought in brilliant depth options with Antony, Martinelli, Pedro, Raphinha and Rodrygo all making the trip. However, the focus will undoubtedly be on one man.
Amidst a plethora of talented players in Brazil’s squad, Neymar continues to stand out as the Selecao star, with Tite’s side pinning their hopes on the 30-year-old to guide them to glory in Qatar.
The former Barcelona star has taken his goal tally to 75 in 121 appearances for Brazil and he is sure to have an eye on overtaking Pele’s all-time record of 77 strikes when he takes to the pitch in Qatar.
This will be Neymar’s third World Cup and he has unfinished business on the biggest stage of all.
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Tite is the only Brazil manager since Mario Zagallo and Tele Santana to coach the Selecao at successive World Cup tournaments.
He has won 58, drawn 13 and lost five of his 76 games in charge and has also steered the team to Copa America glory in the meantime.
Tite has previously stated that he plans to retire after the 2022 World Cup and will be hoping to bow out on a high in the Middle East by leading Brazil all the way to their first world title in two decades.