Adriano and Ronaldinho for sure. Lots of rumors about Robinho as well. Ronaldo was at the bare minimum a drunk and heavy smoker later on in his career.

Rivaldo and Kaka were clean, but Rivaldo was way too old to contribute, so you basically have mediocre guys like Luis Fabiano (who seems to play well when wearing a Brazil jersey though), Elano, Fred, Nilmar, and now Hulk getting substantial playing time for the national team.

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Posted by wm72

Brooklyn

Member since Mar 2010

7797 posts

Posted on 6/29/13 at 1:35 am to Keys Open Doors

It's really past the point that some younger players should have been stepping into these positions in the attack. However, aside from Neymar, there's not been a new generation to come on strongly for Brazil.

In defense and midfield Brazil has a much or more talent than anyone but, like you point out, after Neymar there are players that are very good but just not quite among the international elite.

Strange. . . but even with a shortage of top tier forwards, Brazil has so much depth of talent that they would probably be runaway favorites in a tourney where countries had to field their, say, 5th choice NT.

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Posted by Keys Open Doors

In hiding with Tupac & XXXTentacion

Member since Dec 2008

31893 posts

Posted on 6/29/13 at 1:39 am to wm72

Yeah, they have lots of players who are mediocre at the international level, or good enough to play for the 6th place German team or the 2nd place Russian team, etc.

This is a very strong back 4, when they have time to gel, Juilo Cesar still looks good enough, and their defensive midfielders aren't bad at all; I'd say it's similar to the 2002 squad with Gilberto Silva and Kleberson. What's missing is the truly top level creative players beyond Neymar. I liked what I saw of Bernard, but that is honestly 25 minutes of playing time and he's tiny.

It's a shame for a guy like Alex de Souza, who would have been a surefire starter if he had been born just 5 years later.

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Posted by wm72

Brooklyn

Member since Mar 2010

7797 posts

Posted on 6/29/13 at 1:53 am to Keys Open Doors

quote:
This is a very strong back 4, when they have time to gel, Juilo Cesar still looks good enough, and their defensive midfielders aren't bad at all

Yeah, and they have prodigies like Marquinhos on the way as well. It's a bit ironic that their strength is so lopsided in favor of defense.

They absolutely need some players like Bernard or Oscar to step up. I didn't see Chelsea much this season but in watching them in person against Man City this summer that kid was head and shoulders above any of the billion dollar players on either side (except for maybe Nasri surprisingly enough) in terms of inspiring pure awe.

Not sold at all on Hulk really being a component of a great team.

Just playing solid defense though will still make them as tough as any team to get by in a knockout at home next summer.

This post was edited on 6/29/13 at 1:55 am

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Posted by jfran23