How strong is Brazil without Neymar? The superstar’s enforced break is causing debate.
Neymar presented a photo of his swollen foot to the football world and sent an encouraging “Let’s go”. But by then the heated discussion about Brazil’s superstar had long since reached a new dimension. His team-mate Raphinha took on the critical supporters at home and posted a general reckoning in his Instagram story: “The Argentine fans treat Messi like a god. The Portuguese fans treat Ronaldo like a king. Brazilian fans cheer when Neymar breaks his leg.”
Neymar divides Brazil: his support for right-wing populist president Jair Bolsonaro had already earned the 30-year-old some harsh criticism, many resent his arrogance on the field and his showmanship, and his ligament injury to his right ankle was met with derision and malice by numerous fans.
Barcelona striker Raphinha, as a supporter, really fuelled the controversy: “How sad that the biggest mistake in Neymar’s career is that he was born Brazilian. This country doesn’t deserve his talent and his football.”
The record world champions would have enough on their plate ahead of Monday’s second match (5pm/MagentaTV and ARD) against Switzerland to compensate for the loss of their star – at least for the group stage. “Neymar is of course an extraordinary talent. But Brazil have a lot of great talent, we believe in our other players as well,” said coach Tite, keeping his cool.
The players don’t really see any reason to worry either. “There is Vini, Richarlison, Raphinha, Jesus. We joke among ourselves at the back that sometimes we feel sorry for the opponents,” said back-rower Casemiro. They have “100 per cent confidence” even without Neymar, added defender Marquinhos: “We can deal with absences.”
Swiss Bundesliga professional Nico Elvedi also said, “I won’t sleep better now just because Neymar is not playing. His being out doesn’t change anything.” Indeed, Brazil is no longer so dependent on Neymar, who limped off the field with tears in his eyes in the 2-0 loss to Serbia.
In the four years since the last World Cup, the five-time world champions averaged 2.6 points with him, 2.2 without him. Between 2014 and 2018, the average without the superstar had been 2.1, and 1.9 in the four years before that.
Two-time World Cup winner Cafu therefore believes “Brazil will stay at the same level without him.” He could be replaced by Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, who has never made the starting eleven in his eight international appearances. Fred from Manchester United is more established.
Whoever comes in, the Selecao will have to prove that it can work at a World Cup without Neymar, at least for the time being: in 2014, his fractured vertebrae was followed by a 7-1 humiliation against Germany, and in 2018, the team was knocked out in the quarter-finals with a weak superstar who had not yet regained momentum after knee surgery. Tite said he believed Neymar would “still play in this World Cup”. But in what will probably be his last attempt at the “Hexa”, “we have to look from day to day”.