With the 2018 World Cup final draw right around the corner, many will have their eyes on Brazil. The competition’s most successful side, the Selecao will be hoping for a better campaign this time around.
In 2014, the five-time champion was the host nation and was thus tipped as a potential winner. In all fairness to the South American giants, they reached the semi-final stage before crashing out, but the manner in which they exited the tournament left the entire nation embarrassed.
Brazil was thrashed 7-1 by eventual champion Germany on home soil, leaving both the players and the supporters in tears. However, Neymar feels his side has done enough to regain respect in international football after that unforgettable defeat.
The 25-year-old attacker sat down with FIFA.com for an interview ahead of the draw. After an impressive qualifying campaign, the PSG star insists the fear Selecao is back.
“Yes, I do,” Neymar said when asked if Brazil has regained the respect they lost in the 2014 World Cup.
“The respect towards the team now is different to what it was three or four years ago after the World Cup. People see us differently. The Brazil that everyone respects and admires is back; a team that enjoys good football.
“And that makes us happy. The mood of our fans and our country has changed. Everyone's confident and happy looking ahead to the World Cup. You can't put a price on that.”
Neymar’s claims are understandable. Tite’s side tore apart the CONMEBOL qualifying round, becoming the first team to qualify after Russia. Forming an excellent attacking trio with Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus, Neymar insists that he fears no one ahead of the group stage draw.
Neymar, who missed the 7-1 defeat after suffering a heartbreaking injury in the quarter-final, stopped short of tipping Brazil to win next year’s tournament. The former Barcelona superstar merely said: “In 2018 Neymar will be very happy at the World Cup.”
The 2018 World Cup final draw is set to commence on Friday at 10:00 ET / 15:00 GMT. The teams will be split into four pots, with each of the eight groups getting one team from each pot.
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FIFA World Cup 2018 Final Draw
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