Brazil needs to move on from ageing stars after a poor 2026 World Cup
Brazil’s World Cup 2026 journey ended at the last-16 stage, as the Selecao suffered a 2-1 defeat against Norway, with Erling Haaland bagging a brace against Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
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Some have stated that one of the main reasons for their failure is that too many players were in the twilight of their careers. The Selecao’s 26-man squad average age of 28.65 years was the oldest in the history of the national team.
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Nearly half the squad were 30 or over
The fact that 11 of the squad were 30 or over played a big part in that average rating. Neymar, Casemiro and Danilo were all 34, while Alex Sandro was 35, with oldest third-choice goalkeeper Weverton at 38.
Experience can be a crucial factor in a team’s success, and some players can be extremely fit well into their 30s. However, even the fittest players can lose some of their energy and dynamism in their thirties. Maybe lose that extra yard that used to be key to their game.
One example of that is Brazil legend Neymar. The 34-year-old is the South American’s record-ever goalscorer, having scored 80 times in 130 games.
No doubt he has been an incredible player throughout his career at club and international level. However, before the World Cup, the forward hadn’t played for the national team since October 2023. His selection in the squad felt almost sentimental.
Although fans celebrated his inclusion, in reality, his inclusion in the squad gave the Selecao very little. In fact, he failed to start a game, making just two substitute appearances totalling 37 minutes. He scored a goal against Norway, but it was from a penalty kick that was always going to be nothing more than a consolation.
In truth, Neymar has struggled due to injuries in recent years. If he had been honest with himself, then maybe he would have admitted that he wasn’t really in the best shape to play at the World Cup.
There is a gap between the ageing and the starlets
Unfortunately, at the moment there is a giant gap between the ageing players and the team’s starlets, with few players in the middle. It’s good to have a mix of ages in a squad, but Brazil at the World Cup 2026 seemed to struggle for balance.
It’s likely good for the teenagers like Rayan, Estevao and Endrick to train and play with the older players. However, the presence of the two distinct groups of players led to a tactical clash.
The younger players such as Vinicius Junior, Rayan and Endrick attempted to press their opponents with aggression and speed.
However, the other players behind them, Casemiro and Fabinho, no longer had the mobility or energy to back up the young forwards. This created big gaps in the centre of the pitch.
The older players just seemed to run out of steam against Norway, who are a young and dynamic team. Quite simply, they didn’t have the energy or legs to keep up with the Scandinavians.
One of the other problem areas for Brazil is at full-back. The Selecao have always been renowned for their attacking full-backs. Even as early as the 1950s, Brazilian full-backs were raiding forward, with the likes of Nílton Santos and Djalma Santos pioneers as attacking full-backs.
Then there was the great Carlos Alberto, who captained the 1970 World Cup-winning team. In the 1990s and 2000s, Cafu and Roberto Carlos were regarded as the best attacking full-back pairs in the world game.
More recently, Dani Alves and Marcelo starred in the role for their clubs and countries. That supply line of top full-backs seems to have dried up.
Even in their prime, it could be argued that Danilo and Alex Sandro were nowhere near the same quality as many of the players who previously played in the position.
One of the backup full-backs, Douglas Santos, is also 32, and hasn’t hit the same heights as some of the world-famous Brazilian full-backs.
Some Brazilian full-backs offer hope though. The likes of Wesley, Vanderson and even Vinicius Tobias have all shown promise in the European game, while JP Chermont of Santos is regarded as one of the better home-based full-back prospects. A few other home-based younger players also gaining attention are 18-year-old Joao Victor de Souza of Flamengo and 16-year-old Ângelo of Sao Paulo
Whatever happens, the younger players must now be given a chance to prove themselves.
Brazil must build a team behind the forwards
The Selecao now need to go away and start to rebuild their squad. When it comes to attacking players, Brazil are well stocked. Most play at the top level of the game in top European leagues and competitions.
However, it’s the midfield and the defence that need some refreshing. The team needs to be built around the talented forward players. These are players who have thrived at club level, but don’t get the same support with the Selecao.
If Brazil can fashion a better supporting cast for their talented attacking players, then they will not be down for long. Football works in cycles, and the current Brazil squad is at the end of theirs, so it’s time for a refresh so they can begin a new cycle of success on the international stage.