Brazil announced its World Cup 23 man squad on May 7.
Head coach Luis Felipe Scolari named 17 world cup rookies, while leaving out experienced, but aging stars like Kaka and Ronaldinho.
Sophomore Colley Loum said, “I can’t believe that he left Kaka and Ronaldinho out of the team. I mean maybe I get it if he left one of them out, as they are getting old, but leaving both of them out? That’s ridiculous.”
Loum also said, “There is barely any experience on this team, because of that I can’t see them winning the tournament because of the lack of leadership. Before they announced the squad, they were one of my favorites to win it.”
While the average age of the entire squad is about 27 years old. The average of the more attack minded players is only 25 years old. This lack of leadership in the attack could lead to players getting frustrated and attempting to do everything themselves should Brazil fall behind in a game.
Brazilian team captain Thiago Silva is a center defender, most likely not being able to have much influence when the attacking minded players are so much further up the pitch.
Sophomore Jay Russell said, “As a Chelsea fan, I am glad that my team has so many players in Brazil’s team with Oscar, Willian, David Luiz, and Ramires all part of the team. But, although I hate to say it, I think that Oscar should not have gotten his spot, instead I think that that spot should have gone to Liverpool’s Coutinho.”
Russell also said, “Overall, I think Coutinho has had a better season than Oscar, but I’m not going to dwell on it because I do not want Brazil to win, so although I believe they made numerous mistakes in their roster, I am happy about that.”
There are many controversies in Scolari’s squad, including the omission of Kaka, Ronaldinho, Coutinho, Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Lucas Moura, and Felipe Luis.
Sophomore Max Lieberman said, ” I think that Brazil’s hopes lie with Neymar, but he’s pretty young and personally I wouldn’t have much faith in him.”
On Instagram, Neymar said ,”My childhood dream came true.”
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Júlio César (Toronto FC), Jéfferson (Botafogo), Victor (Grêmio).
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Internazionale), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk).
Forwards: Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Barcelona), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Jô (Atlético Mineiro).