PARIS
vs
Brazil
La Selecao
In popular culture, Brazil is one of the most worthy representatives of soccer. If this sport was invented by the English, Brazil is considered by many as the country of soccer. Able to gather all the Auriverde people behind its team, the passion around football makes it a real social vector, federative and positive on its population. Made of technical gestures, charismatic players and anthology goals, Brazil has developed its own soccer, recognized under the name of samba soccer.
The Selecao holds many records related to the World Cup, as the only nation to have qualified for every final stage of the competition. With 5 titles - 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2022 - Brazil is also the country that has won the most times the trophy.
Among the players who have written the great history of the Brazilian national team are Pele, Neymar, Ronaldo and Romario. King Pele was named the best player of the 20th century and is the only player to have won the World Cup three times.
Brazil's World Cup successes
Brazil's first success came in 1958, during the edition organized in Sweden. Pele's teammates closed their tournament with an offensive festival, winning twice by 5 goals to 2, in the semi-final against France and in the final against Sweden. This edition is also marked by the 13 goals of Just Fontaine with the Blues, a record still unmatched.
Chile obtained the organization of the 1962 World Cup, which managed to obtain a historic third place against Yugoslavia. Brazil added a second star by defeating Czechoslovakia in the final. With 4 goals each, Vava and Garrincha will be the saviors of the Selecao, orphaned of Pele since matchday 2.
1970 symbolizes the advent of the Selecao and one of the most successful runs in the history of the competition. Led by the winger Jairzinho, who will achieve the feat of scoring in every game, the Auriverde won every match and finished with the best attack of the tournament. At the age of 30, Pele won his third World Cup.
During the 94 edition, the cameras of the whole world are riveted on the country of Uncle Sam, the organizing country. The teammates of captain Dunga eliminated the United States in the Round of 16, before winning the final against Italy in penalty kicks.
In 2002, the Canarinho of the offensive trio Ronaldo - Rivaldo - Ronaldinho participated in the first World Cup organized on the Asian continent - an edition co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. With 8 goals, Ronaldo will allow Brazil to win its 5th star, beating Germany in the final with a score of 2-0.
Players to follow Duel
Captain of the Selecao since 2014, Neymar Jr is today one of its most emblematic players. In 2016, in front of his country, he offered the first Olympic title in its history to Brazil, with exceptional individual performances. In 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2021, he was elected Golden Samba, a title that recognizes the best Brazilian player playing in Europe. Before him, Thiago Silva had won this individual trophy three years in a row, between 2011 and 2013.
Today he is one of the most prominent attacking players, both at club level with Real Madrid and in the Brazilian national team. Vinicius Jr. is an exciting left winger whose idol is Robinho and who has been playing for the Selecao since he was very young. In 2017 at the South American Under-17 Championships, he was voted best player and top scorer of the competition, won by his country.
The Maracana
It is without doubt one of the most emblematic stadiums in the world. Inaugurated on June 16, 1950, for the World Cup held on Brazilian soil, the Maracana had an initial capacity of nearly 200,000 seats! Located in Rio de Janeiro, the Templo do Futebol was the scene of many matches of the 1950 and 2014 World Cups.
Many musical artists have performed at the Maracana, including the Rolling Stones, the Black Eyed Peas and Frank Sinatra.
