With a population of over 190 million people, Brazil is officially the largest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking nation in Latin America are certainly well-known for their footballing capabilities. This sport attracts the most attention in a country where the public acknowledges football as a way to get out of poverty.
Brazil are regarded as the most successful team in football history with their expansive trophy cabinets parading all the justification needed. Generation after generation, they continue to produce some of the best talents that appear to take football by their very own strides. Perhaps 'Joga Bonito' is best way to describe the beautiful style of football that they adopt.
There were the golden moments of Pele and Garrincha, the grace of Rivelino, the style of Socrates and Zico, the emergence of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, the rising stars in the form of Neymar, Robinho and Alexander Pato. All this players have given their heart and soul in achieving one similar mission. Winning trophies for their beloved nation.
However, things have been pretty delicate in recent times and it all began during the 2006 World Cup when the ageing Brazilians were exposed immensely by other teams, making a pre-mature exit in the quarter finals. They recognized that it signaled the time for a change to take place. Dunga was brought in as manager and emphasis was structured on youth development.
True enough, Robinho emerged as the best player during the 2007 Copa America where Brazil finished as Champions. Efforts were increased and Nilmar, Neymar, Thiago Silva and others were exposed to the first team as well. Success has always been mandatory for Brazilian Football and while they did lift the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2009, Dunga failed to tinker with his team as they faltered in the Quarter-final of the World Cup against Netherlands. Another disappointment was not a joke for them and Dunga was replaced by Mano Menezes.
Stability has been brought back and results have been on a positive note so far. The Samba Boys head into the Copa America this July as firm favorites but recent events brings back one simple question: Can they make the cut this time around?
A Recap Of Brazil's Copa America History and Record
Brazil are the third best team in Copa America's history, behind Argentina and Uruguay in terms of general statistics. The Samba Boys have amassed over 387 goals in just 315 matches in the tournament history- a simple clue of what to expect from them this time around.
They first joined the competition back in 1916 but it was not until 1919 that they won the Copa America. Co-incidentally, they were also the host nations that year. Brazil defeat Uruguay 1-0 in a play-off match to win their first ever Copa America title.
They then went on to lift the title once again in 1922 before also triumphing in 1949 after a long period of disruption that brought plenty of problems to the competition. But in between their third and fourth title in 1989, there was a long gap of time- precisely 20 years and the tournament had already officially been named as Copa America by this time. Brazil began to establish themselves more on the continent and in between 1997 and 2007, the Samba Boys won four of the five Copa America tournaments to mark a great run of dominance.
Making their success even sweeter is the fact that they beat close rivals Argentina in two finals of the Copa America- 2004 and 2007. In between their 1997-1999 triumphs and 2004-2007 triumphs, Brazil were shockingly knocked out of the tournament back in 2001 by Honduras.
Till today, the Samba Boys have won the Copa America eight times, a record that stands at third behind Argentina and Uruguay's 14 titles. Till today, Argentina are the only team that has won three Copa America titles in succession but this years edition of the competition offers a chance for Brazil to emulate that feat.
Champions: 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007
Second place: 1921, 1925, 1937, 1945, 1946, 1953, 1957, 1959, 1983, 1991, 1995
Third place: 1916, 1917, 1920, 1942, 1959, 1975, 1979
Fourth place: 1923, 1956, 1963
Quarter-final place: 1993, 2001
Round 1: 1987
Withdrew: 1924, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1935, 1939, 1941, 1947, 1955, 1967
Brazil's 2011 Copa America Coach And Squad
Brazil's Coach:
The Selecao's will be led by Mano Menezes in this year's Copa America. Menezes was appointed as a replacement for Dunga, who was sacked after Brazil's dismal outing in the World Cup last year. Menezes grew up as a physical education professional but his coaching experiences are quite remarkable. He took charge of Gremio in 2005 and gained promotion in his first season. In his second season, he guided them to a league triumph and in the following season, Menezes brought Gremio all the way into the Copa Libertadores final, only to be defeated by Boca Juniors.
He joined Corinthians in 2007 and delivered immensely by winning the Copa do Brasil in 2009, a win which enabled them to enter the Copa Libertadores in 2010. In July 2010, Menezes was announced as the new Brazil coach and was received well by fans despite some questioning his tendency to employ defensive minded strategies.
Brazil's 2011 Copa America 23-man squad roster:
Goalkeepers: Julio César, Victor, Jefferson
Defenders: André Santos, Daniel Alves, Maicon, Adriano, David Luiz, Lucio, Luisão, Thiago Silva.
Midfielders: Sandro, Lucas Leiva, Elano, Elias, Jadson, Lucas, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Ramires.
Forwards: Alexandre Pato, Fred, Neymar, Robinho.
Top Quotes From Brazil's Camp Ahead Of The 2011 Copa America
Coach Mano Menezes to CA2011.com:
“I am not worried about the Copa America because it is not a World Cup Qualifier. We will use all opportunities to prepare for the World Cup. Theoretically, Paraguay is the most difficult [to beat] of the three, but this doesn’t mean that the others will not be hard. The first game will be against Venezuela, and this could be the hardest moment.
"We can say that Argentina will be a favorite because they will play at home, the same way Brazil would be a favorite in the 2014 FIFA World Cup”.
Defender Thiago Silva to CA2011.com:
"Between Brazil and Argentina, it'll be 50/50 - Argentina can be seen as favourites as they'll be at home but we [Brazil] are also seen as the team to beat as we won the last two editions.
"They (Uruguay) have a lot of quality - especially after their performance in South Africa but in our pool, I think Paraguay will be our most dangerous rivals - but we have to respect everyone."
