Brazil's World Cup dream hangs precariously in the balance, beset by mounting doubts and despair among their own fans. The five-time champions have yet to convince, despite boasting an impressive roll call of superstars like Messi and Mbappé – and it's not just the performances on the pitch that are causing concern. Their qualifying campaign was a disaster, finishing fifth in the Conmebol table with a paltry 28 points from 18 games, leaving even the most ardent supporters scratching their heads.
The Seleção's early World Cup fixtures have only added to the anxiety. A lacklustre 1-1 draw against Morocco, where Vinícius Júnior was the sole shining light in a dire display, followed by a lack of cohesion and a failure to assert themselves – but for a Vinícius-inspired win over Haiti, would have seen them struggling to find their feet. The pundits are piling on the pressure, with Mauro Cezar Pereira bluntly stating "those who understand even the basics of football don't have much faith" in this Brazilian team under Carlo Ancelotti's management – and he's not alone in his sentiments.
Paulo Vinícius Coelho echoed Pereira's concerns, suggesting that Brazilians are growing increasingly uneasy about their prospects. "We feel like we're seeing a team that isn't showing much sign of having a great World Cup," he said, "and to do so they will have to improve during the tournament.” The elephant in the room is, of course, Neymar – Brazil's all-time leading scorer, but an increasingly divisive figure. His absence from the pitch so far has sparked intense debate and speculation about his fitness, focus, and even his very place in the team.
Neto, a prominent pundit, has been scathing in his criticism of Neymar, questioning why he consistently suffers from injuries while Messi remains injury-free. "Do you see Messi injured with a calf strain, like Neymar is?" he asked on his programme, Os Donos da Bola – and the truth hurts. The likes of Pereira have even gone as far as to suggest that Neymar shouldn't be in the team at all, citing his lack of recent match fitness and his inability to lead from the front.
The collective concern is palpable, with many fearing that Brazil's star player may not be adequately prepared for the demands of the tournament. As they face a crucial showdown against Scotland, those doubts are only likely to grow – casting a dark shadow over their World Cup prospects and sending shockwaves through the football world.