August 3 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has praised Brazil’s participation in the Russia World Cup and defended the country’s talisman Neymar from the on-going criticism he has received.
Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium in the quarter-finals, a result that by Brazil’s high standards was a failure and yet the CBF, Brazil’s governing body of football, has come forward with a positive assessment of the campaign in Russia.
“All competitions leave a margin to learn,” read a CBF statement. “In the case of the Russia World Cup, this balance was positive. The Brazilian team had unprecedented conditions of preparation. The technical staff won the country’s trust with serious and competent work. And our players played the World Cup with the dedication, effort and football that is expected of those who wear the shirt.”
The CBF also defended Neymar, who became a running joke in Russia after his many summersaults and histrionics when in contact with opposing players. The PSG star didn’t speak to the press after the Belgium defeat, but spoke for the first time in a Gillette ad. That strategy backfired as Neymar was widely criticised again in Brazil.
“Neymar is an example, who, after his recovery at record pace from a delicate surgery, was the most hunted athlete of the competition until the quarterfinals,” read the statement. “There were 26 fouls, an average of 5.2 per game. The biggest number in the World Cup. Not even this made him fade. He had a brave and outstanding participation in the World Cup.”
Earlier this month the CBF extended coach Tite’s contract until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Tite became the first Brazilian coach since Claudio Coutinho in 1978 to get an extension after the World Cup. Tite’s technical backroom staff were also retained. They will face a first big test next year when Brazil host the 2019 Copa America. In September Brazil will travel to New Jersey to play the United States in a friendly. Four days later they will take on El Salvador in Washington.
Contact the writer of this story at samindra.kunti@insideworldfootball.com