Brazil vs France wasn’t a bad game — at least not for the French. (The French won, 2-1, on Thursday in an International Friendly). For Brazil, it was a reality check. Brazil is not a contender anymore.
At this point, we’re just another team showing up to the World Cup. The only difference is … we still act like we’re favorites. We’re not.
I watched the game, hoping — like every Brazilian does — that there was something there, for a sign that this team could grow into something. There wasn’t.
I know that football can always surprise you, but for Brazil winning the next World Cup, or any in the next decades, is closer to a miracle than to a real scenario. This team is lost. No structure, no identity, no personality. A group of players that don’t even stand out individually — and together, somehow, it’s even worse.
And let’s stop pretending about the “stars.” Vinícius Júnior couldn’t beat a single defender. Not one. He looks world-class against weaker teams in Spain, but against top-level opposition, he disappears. The midfield is even worse. No creativity, no control, no presence. And the fact that we’re relying on players like Danilo, Andrey, Cunha — and that Casemiro is still a reference point — says everything. Compare that to France national football team: movement, confidence, ideas. They played through us like we weren’t even there.
After the qualifying loss to Argentina (photo courtesy Al Jazeera)
At times, it even felt like we were the ones playing with 10 players. That isn’t a one-off. It’s on the level.
Meanwhile, the rest of the world moved forward. France, Spain, England, Germany, and Argentina have all improved. Systems, structure, mentality. Brazil didn’t. We’re still living off a reputation that hasn’t been true for years.
And here’s the uncomfortable part: Brazil doesn’t produce great national teams anymore because it doesn’t need to. The goal now isn’t to build something that wins for the country. For players it is to get noticed, move to Europe, sign a contract, and secure money.
Once that happens, everything else becomes secondary. That’s not a winning culture.
So maybe it’s time to accept that this World Cup isn’t about Brazil winning. It’s about watching better teams — and realizing how far behind we actually are.
