There are two expressions of Brazilian soccer that always attract attention. If in Italy biscotto or catenaccio have made a fortune and a good part of the words of sport come from the Anglo-Saxon world, in Brazil there is talk of tackling to refer to the result and of mata-mata when it comes to crosses, matches without two turns, to go on or go home. Like the round of 16 of a World Cup, where today Brazil is measured against the surprising South Korea. [Check the results of the World Cup in Qatar]
It shouldn't be a major rival for the Seleçao, but surprising eliminations have already taken place in Qatar. With the Brazilian giant also turning his gaze towards the state of health of O Rei Pelé, his current heir, Neymar, is preparing to return to the championship. On Saturday he exercised for the first time after spraining the ligaments in his right ankle that he suffered against Serbia and assured that "he felt good", paraphrasing James Brown's I feel good, and yesterday he returned to work with his teammates.
He could only be against the Serbs, he saw the match against Switzerland from the hotel and in the defeat against Cameroon he already made an appearance at the stadium. The canarinha, for practical purposes, has not noticed his absence because he tied up the leadership of the group and now has a theoretically benevolent team until the semifinals. However, the weight of history is what it is and Brazil must be required not only to win, but to do so in a certain way. Absent Neymar, the level of creativity of the Tite team dropped several lengths. He has only conceded one goal, but has barely added three goals in three games. Who has seen it and who sees it in the country that he made enjoy with strikers like Pelé, Ronaldo, Romário or Rivaldo. Neymar's return should encourage a rebound in the offensive field.
In what conditions will the PSG striker find himself? We will have to see it. Thiago Silva was asked if Neymar will play against the Koreans. Then the coach Tite took the microphone and answered "yes." Later he modulated his response somewhat because there was still a training session left, although he understood almost everything. The doctors and the footballer will determine if he is in the starting eleven or remains on the bench until the second half. "If Neymar is fine, I am in favor of putting the best players from the beginning, but I wait for the green light from the doctors," said the coach, who says goodbye to the team as soon as Brazil finishes its competition in Qatar.
The pentacampeão, which has lost Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles due to injury, has been waiting for the hexa for two decades and since then has only reached the semifinals at most (the resounding 1-7 against Germany in Brazil 2014). This produces a similar dose of anxiety, although it is expressed in another way, to that experienced in the Argentine team. However, on this occasion, either because Neymar is older than eight years ago, because his injury could still be fixed, or because the coach is calmer than the legendary Luiz Felipe Scolari, such a high volume of hysteria has not been transmitted. like the one that emanated from the Seleçao locker room in 2014. So, when Neymar was knocked out in the quarterfinals against Colombia, it was the end, with the teammates more eager to console and honor the fallen boy than to become strong to overcome To Germany.
A Brazilian crack without a World title is less of a crack. Neymar knows this, who at a time when friendlies are being disputed everywhere, is only two goals behind Pelé's goalscoring record with Brazil. 75 goals in 122 games for the former Barcelona player and 77 in 92 for the three-time universal champion.
Unlike Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, if Neymar (30 years old) takes care of himself, he should still reach the 2026 edition. This is now his third World Cup. He has six goals in eleven games in the final phases. Just in time Neymar returns.
