Brazil, the new generation

The colour yellow plotted around the Emirates Stadium in north London on Sunday afternoon to support Brazil, but how has the team developed?

Remember the big Brazilian stars playing for the national team in the past, the goal scorer Ronaldo, the playmaker Rivaldo, the skilful Ronaldinho, the ever present Roberto Carlos’s and the captain Cafu? I do and it was great to see those players at the top of their games, but now a new generation are pushing through and it’s exciting to see.

Of course the mixture between experience and youth is vital in any team, so is a bit of flair and the ability to keep possession for long periods of play and Brazil now have that. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Dani Alves and Lucio all played against Scotland in their 2-0 victory and all are experienced internationally and at club level, but they also have players like Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Kaka to come into the team.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas and Chelsea midfielder Ramires put on a very impressive display against Scotland, helping Brazil keep the ball in the middle of the park and always providing a spare man around the ball if ever needed. I think that’s something that their national team has developed over the years. It was something special the movement they created off the ball giving the person on the ball so many different options. In the past, Brazil have been known for its flair but now the way they keep the ball is remarkable and they look more of a unit at the back.

The young Marcelinho Lucas Rodriguez, also known as Lucas, came off of the bench to put in a good performance as well. He gave the midfield something else. He picked up the ball from the middle of the park or just in front of the halfway line and made dangerous runs in and around the box. Instead of being selfish and shooting whenever the goal was in his view he was able to pick out the right pass and set up a fellow team mate in space. His pace and precision was something Scotland just couldn’t handle as their players got tired.

Maybe the star player on the pitch was Santos striker Neymar, who managed to bag himself the two goals against Scotland and made it three international goals in three international games. A striker with a funny haircut I know, but a player with fantastic movement, flair and agility. His first goal showed his movement by running towards the front post and it also showed his composure and ability to finish as he used the defender as a shield and curled it around him and inside the far post.

Throughout the game he showed his eagerness to get onto the ball by continuously moving to the middle of the park and when he did get the ball his step overs where more than impressive. For the second goal he earned himself a penalty when he turned Charlie Adams in the box and was brought down. He slotted the penalty and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.           

The 19 year old gained praise from Gordon Strachan, Kenny Miller and Gareth Southgate after the game and its clear why he’s one to watch for the World Cup in Brazil. He’s tipped to be their new Ronaldo, which would help as strikers of the past have been tipped to be the new number 9 but not delivered. Usually the Brazilian team has a huge attacking star in the line-up that steals all the headlines but in that game against Scotland it was a team who had something to prove and that’s a change because it allowed Naymer to step up to the plate.

Only the future will see how his career will develop and how the Brazilian team will improve even more so. They seem to be able to create young players who have the ability to look at home when they play for the national team, which always amazes me. Who will it be next you ask? I don’t know but I can’t wait to find out.

By Jordan Brown