As a lifelong football analyst and someone who spends an inordinate amount of time dissecting team dynamics, I’ve always been fascinated by how squad management dictates success at the highest level. It’s not just about having the best eleven names on the team sheet; it’s about understanding roles, managing minutes, and ensuring that your key players are fresh when it matters most. This brings me to the current Brazilian national team, a squad brimming with individual talent that now faces the intricate challenge of forging a cohesive unit. The recent comment from a basketball coach, Tim Cone of Ginebra in the Philippines, about his player Japeth Aguilar stuck with me: “We just feel like Japeth had to overplay minutes and he would wear down and wasn’t efficient in the latter stages of the game.” That principle is universal. It’s a stark warning for any team, including Brazil, about the perils of over-reliance and poor role definition. As we look toward the next major tournament, let’s break down the key members of this Seleção and the specific, sometimes unglamorous, roles they must embrace to avoid that very pitfall.
In goal, the mantle has firmly passed to Alisson Becker. His role is clear: be the ultimate safety net and a starting point for attacks with that impeccable distribution. But the interesting dynamic is the presence of Ederson. This isn’t just a backup; it’s a luxury that allows for tactical flexibility. If, hypothetically, Brazil needs to press even higher and play a more aggressive sweeper-keeper role in a specific match, Ederson can slot in without a drop in quality. It’s a 1A and 1B situation that most nations can only dream of. Moving to the defense, the conversation has to start with Marquinhos. He’s the defensive leader now, the organizer. Alongside him, Eder Militão brings a blistering recovery pace that covers for so many sins. But here’s where the “Japeth Aguilar” analogy starts to creep in. The full-back positions, particularly the left, have seen a carousel of names—from Alex Sandro to Alex Telles. If we’re not careful, we could see a talented player like Militão or even Marquinhos “overplaying” in a metaphorical sense, having to constantly cover for marauding but defensively suspect full-backs, wearing them down by the 70th minute. Danilo on the right provides stability, but the left is a puzzle. My personal preference is leaning towards someone like Guilherme Arana, who offers a better balance, but the debate is wide open.
The midfield is where Brazil’s soul resides, and it’s undergoing a fascinating evolution. Casemiro, at 31, remains the undisputed shield, but the miles on his legs are a genuine concern. His role is non-negotiable: break up play, shield the center-backs, and recycle possession. The real intrigue lies ahead of him. Bruno Guimarães has become, in my opinion, indispensable. His role is that of a connector—winning balls, driving forward, and providing that crucial link between defense and attack. He’s the modern box-to-box engine Brazil has craved. Then there’s Lucas Paquetá. His role is purely creative, floating in those half-spaces, providing the final pass, and chipping in with goals. This balanced trio feels right. However, the temptation to force Neymar into a central playmaker role from deep could disrupt this equilibrium and create defensive vulnerabilities, asking too much of Casemiro. Neymar, for all his genius, is most effective further forward where the wear and tear of defensive duties is minimized. Speaking of the attack, it’s a constellation of stars. Vinicius Junior, on the left, is the primary dribbler and disrupter. His role is to isolate defenders, beat them, and either score or create chaos. On the right, Raphinha offers directness and relentless work rate, a slightly different profile but equally crucial. Up front, the number nine role is Richarlison’s to lose. His job isn’t just to score—though his 20 goals in 48 caps is a decent return—it’s to press, contest every aerial duel, and create space for others. He’s the tactical fulcrum of the forward line.
But having all these pieces is only half the battle. The lesson from Coach Cone’s statement is profound. A manager like Dorival Júnior must be a master of rotation and role clarity. You can’t run Vinicius into the ground every match; you need a Martinelli or a Rodrygo who can come in and provide a different, fresh threat. You can’t ask Casemiro to single-handedly patrol a massive midfield area for 90 minutes, tournament after tournament. The supporting cast—players like João Gomes for his tenacity, or even an experienced figure like Thiago Silva for his late-game leadership in protecting a lead—are not afterthoughts. They are essential components that prevent the core starters from “wearing down and becoming inefficient in the latter stages.” My view is that Brazil’s biggest strength is also its biggest challenge: the abundance of attacking talent. The key will be forging a collective identity where roles are respected, and the defensive structure isn’t compromised for individual flair. If they can achieve that, balancing the incredible individual talents with a pragmatic understanding of physical and tactical roles, this squad has the potential to be truly special. The ghosts of past tournaments, where fatigue and disorganization crept in, can be laid to rest with intelligent management. The pieces are all there; it’s about building the right machine.
