Brazil's Unforgettable World Cup Saga
This book is not just a history; it’s an invitation to explore the enchanting evolution of Brazil’s footballing prowess — from the unforgettable grace of Pelé and the skill of Ronaldinho to the intense rivalries and cultural significance surrounding this beloved sport. With a record five World Cup victories, Brazil have long been at the heart of football’s most riveting stories, yet recent years have brought fresh challenges that threaten their storied legacy.
In ‘Brazil in the World Cup,’ you will journey through the magical moments of Brazil's World Cup campaigns, examining the exhilarating triumphs of 1958 and 1962, the genius of Romário and Ronaldo, and the unforgettable flair displayed in 1970 and 1982. You’ll learn about the colourful coaches who shaped the team’s destiny and how the relationship between Brazilians and their national squad has evolved over time — painted against a backdrop of cultural and political narratives.
As someone who has dedicated nearly two decades to covering South American football for FIFA, CONMEBOL, and various media outlets including the Guardian and ESPN FC, I invite you to embark on this thrilling exploration of Brazil’s footballing history.
With their last World Cup win back in 2002, the stakes are higher than ever. This book not only chronicles the glories of the past but also lays bare the struggles the Seleção faces on the path to redemption.
By reading 'Brazil in the World Cup,' you’ll gain a deeper understanding of a footballing powerhouse that remains a source of inspiration and intrigue. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the sport, this journey through history will resonate with anyone who loves football.
Extract from the chapter on 1954 published in the Guardian
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The Seleção had high hopes before heading to Switzerland but the ‘Battle of Berne’ quarter-final ended in a riot
The fallout from the defeat to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final overshadowed Brazil’s buildup to Switzerland. Some of the Brazilian press had labelled the national team “bottlers” and what many saw as their inability to perform in crunch games had become a preoccupation.
The pressure had eased a little after the Seleção went unbeaten on their way to clinching the Campeonato Pan-Americano in 1952 – Brazil’s first tournament win on foreign soil. But losing the deciding match to Paraguay in the Sul-Americano the following year raised more questions over the team’s temperament. Alfredo Moreira Júnior had replaced Flávio Costa as manager. Zezé, as he was known, made fewer than 50 appearances as a midfielder at Flamengo, Palestra Itália (now Palmeiras) and Botafogo but would go on to clock up a staggering 474 games as Fluminense coach over several spells from the 1950s to the early 70s – a record that still stands today. Zezé was famed for being one of the country’s early strategists and tried to bring some balance to the Brazil squad that had fired in an impressive 22 goals in the World Cup in 1950 but were suspect at the back. The coach toyed with zonal marking, which made Brazil’s defence a little tighter but reduced their firepower.
Zezé’s side won six games in a row in the buildup to the 1954 World Cup. Yet the Seleção were wrong if they had thought tempers had cooled four years after the loss to Uruguay. David Nasser, a well-known columnist for one of the country’s most popular newspapers, O Cruzeiro, vented the frustration many felt. “A lot of the press in the Americas stated that cachaça [a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice] had defeated Brazil and that we were a poorly fed people, that ate rice, beans and farinha [yellow manioc flour] and our athletes could barely stand. It was said that Brazil fell shamefully to a group of old Uruguayans with varicose veins and erysipelas [who destroyed] the Brazilian boys. The time has come to respond to these people. To show these gentlemen that we are not the broken, fearful and syphilitic people they say.” The message to the Brazil squad was not quite as succinct as “England expects” but the sentiment was as clear.
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Forward by ex São Paulo, Villa, Rangers and Sunderland coach Micheal Beale
About the Author
Jon Cotterill lives in São Paulo, Brazil. He has covered South American football since 2002 and has worked for FIFA, the Brazilian Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, NSports, Torneos, TV Globo and Mediapro. Jon is the author of ' Anatomy of a football scout: an in-depth look at player recruitment' and 'Brazil in the World Cup: the story of the Seleção on football’s greatest stage'. His work has appeared in the Guardian, Telegraph, Mail, World Soccer Magazine, FourFourTwo and ESPN FC. He has been involved in player talent ID since 2013.