Ones to watch

Brazil peaked too soon in the build-up to the last World Cup. Flying throughout 2016 and 2017, they were not quite the same by the time they reached Russia. Striker Gabriel Jesus lost form and key midfielder Renato Augusto struggled for fitness – but one problem was entirely self-inflicted.

During the qualifiers, Marquinhos formed an excellent partnership with the rugged Miranda. In ten games together, Brazil conceded just two goals. But, by the main event, coach Tite was unable to resist Thiago Silva’s claims. Marquinhos was dropped – his only participation in Russia was as a late substitute in the second round match against Mexico. In the fatal quarter-final against Belgium, Brazil paid the price for pairing two veterans in defence, and badly missed their quickest centre-back. Having narrowly missed out on the squad in 2014, it was a second World Cup disappointment for Marquinhos.

Part of the problem, perhaps, is that Marquinhos is so easy to overlook. He is almost too impressive for his own good. Fast, calm and skilful, he makes things look easy. And Paris Saint-Germain can be an especially strange destination for a defender, with only a few chances to shine per season. It may also not help his cause that he played so little club football in Brazil, leaving Corinthians after a handful of games to join Roma, before making his way to Paris.

It is, though, hard to imagine Brazil overlooking Marquinhos again. He was straight back into the side after the World Cup, and was a key part of a defensive unit that conceded just one goal – and that a very harsh penalty – on the way to winning the 2019 Copa America on home soil. Since Russia, the centre-back partnership has been Marquinhos plus one – and if Thiago Silva does not last all the way to Qatar, the recent form of Eder Militao at Real Madrid is encouraging.

The PSG defender would also seem to be the long-term solution to a minor headache that has been bugging Brazil for a while. Thiago Silva proved a disastrous captain in 2014. Neymar was then given the role before deciding he would prefer not to have it. Tite then went with the idea of a revolving captain before settling on Dani Alves, who was promptly forced out of Russia 2018 through injury. Alves still hopes to make it to Qatar, but the long-term bet is surely Marquinhos, who captains Neymar at club level. Brazil often love a ranter and a raver with the armband, but there are surely merits in going with the sense of calm and competence radiating from their outstanding centre-back.

Aged 26, Marquinhos has quietly already accumulated over 50 caps. But the best part of the story may be yet to come.