LOOK AT OUR TEAM, WE DON’T RELY ON ONE MAN
It’s not all about Neymar now, says Gilberto; Brazil have so many other potential heroes
BRAZIL can win a sixth World Cup in Russia... because they are no longer reliant solely on Neymar.
Former Arsenal midfield star Gilberto Silva, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, says the current side have eased the pressure on Neymar (right) with so many other attacking options.
Although Neymar, the world’s most expensive player at £198million, remains Brazil’s star man, the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Willian and Gabriel Jesus can take the heat off him in the quest for glory.
“What I like about this Brazil team is that it no longer relies on Neymar,” said Gilberto. “It’s important for him as well because now he’s sharing the responsibility with other players and they’re sharing with him. It’s too much pressure for one person. He can’t win it alone.
“This time he has Philippe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus up front, Willian, and also Roberto Firmino who can come on.
“So this is a good balance and they’ve got a good chance. They’re progressing all the time, but every game from now on is a final.
“They can’t afford to waste so many chances and start games slowly. If you lose, you’re out. They must have the right mentality.
“In the game against Switzerland they didn’t work well, but the second game was much better against Costa Rica. They created chances and managed to score twice.
“Against Serbia, there was a bit of pressure when they were leading 1-0 in the second half, but they controlled the game and scored a second goal.”
Brazil’s hopes of winning the last World Cup on home soil were crushed in the semi-finals by a 7-1 defeat by eventual winners Germany, who exited at the group stage here in Russia. Although Gilberto (left) admitted that Brazilians are still “ashamed” of that result, he said the current side – who face Mexico today in the last 16 – have a chance to atone for it by winning in Russia. “You can’t live in the past,” said Gilberto. “We’ll always feel ashamed by that result, which shocked the world. It will be painful forever but we can’t change that. “It’s the kind of hole that just can’t be filled. “Now they have to play the games of their lives because it’s worth any sacrifice to win the World Cup.”