the day after for a still traumatized Seleção

Always not. Brazil will have to wait until 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada to chase its sixth world star, long awaited for more than 20 years by 215 million Brazilians and Brazilians. The World Cup in Qatar ended in a bitter failure in the quarter-finals of the competition against Croatia after a lost penalty shootout with misses from Rodrygo and Marquinhos. A few months later, the hangover is still hard to pass for the Seleção Brasileira who, in addition, had to watch two of their sworn enemies, Argentina and France, fight during a final of anthology.

For this first international break of the year 2023, it is Ramon Menezes, the coach of Brazil U-20, who will guide the Seleção on an interim basis: “First, my commitment is total and focused on the match against Morocco. Then I will have the preparation for the under-20s, because there will be the World Cup (for young people, editor’s note) next June. But today, my attention is focused on Morocco, which is a solid team too, and focused on this truce. I repeat that the choices are for a single match, and then I will seek balance, build a very strong team to play against Morocco., said the 50-year-old tactician. This friendly match, which will take place at the Ibn Batouta stadium, in the city of Tangier, Morocco, carries a strong symbol since Morocco is, to date, in a situation opposite to that of Brazil, after a flamboyant course in Qatar of the Atlas lions.

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Executives and young people to forget

“They are on the national team’s radar. All the players who have been to the World Cup could be here.” : in his revamped group, Ramon Menezes called on 23 players including 11 internationals already present in Qatar. In the Brazilian cages, we find Ederson and Weverton who will take advantage of the non-selection of Alisson Becker to scratch a few minutes in selection. In defense, Marquinhos having forfeited, Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, Gleison Bremer and Éder Militão are in the game. Lucas Paquetá and Casemiro will provide the middle block with experience. And in attack, in the absence of injured Neymar and Richarlison, Vinícius Júnior will carry the offensive leadership with Antony and Rodrygo. A position completed by the offensive pair of Palmeiras, Raphael Veiga and Rony. It should also be noted the returns to the selection of Emerson (7 selections) and Renan Lodi (16 selections), who remained at the dock for the last World Cup. AS Roma defender Roger Ibañez and Wolverhampton newcomer João Gomes have also been called up for the first time in their young careers.

But the spotlight at the Ibn Batouta stadium in Tangier will be above all on the new faces, because in order to bounce back effectively, Brazil must test, experiment and observe certain young talents, especially with Ramon Menezes , the coach of the young team at its head. In this sense, the Seleção could well celebrate against Morocco, the first selections of the nuggets expected at the turn, such as Andrey Santos (18 years old) who signed at Chelsea during the last winter transfer window or Vitor Roque (18 years old) which is coveted by the biggest European teams including FC Barcelona. But these are not the only young Auriverdes leaving for Morocco in March: defender Robert Renan (19 years old) and Arthur Augusto (20 years old) as well as midfielder André Trindade (21 years old). A cocktail of youth and experience to lay the foundations of the future Brazil: “I arrived from the South American U-20 Championship thinking and analyzing a lot. It’s not easy to make the selection list, because we have great players.”concluded Menezes.

Waiting for the new saviour?

It was planned before the start of the World Cup and the painful elimination did not help matters: Tite left his post as Brazil coach after six years of (good and) loyal service. Since then, rumors have continued to multiply in the land of Order and Progress. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti still seems to be in pole position, especially with the foot calls from some internationals. But the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) would have thought for a moment of its 1998 executioner, Zinédine Zidane, still without a bench. The names of Portuguese José Mourinho and Spaniard Luis Enrique have also been linked to the future of the Seleção. More recently, it was former German coach Joachim Löw who appealed to the Brazilian federation.

The Brazilian ship must be bailed out and the helm is still awaiting its captain. Meanwhile, Ramon Menezes is trying to come to terms with the tools available to best prepare for the future of one of football’s most legendary teams. The talent present is undeniable and the executives are constantly developing in the biggest European clubs. All that remains is to find a balance with, in sight, the next Copa América which will take place in the summer of 2024, in Ecuador. A competition that the Seleção is also aiming to send a message to Argentina, world champion and defending champion of the 2021 edition. With only two coronations in 15 years, the Copa América is another missed act for Brazil.