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Historically, Brazil has no peers in the men's World Cup. No country has ever won more World Cup titles (five). No country has ever won more matches (79) at the World Cup. No country has a bigger goal differential (+128) at the World Cup.
And yet, none of that previous, distant success matters in the modern era of soccer. Because it clearly doesn't translate to the current team.
After a loss to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday, Brazil now officially has its longest World Cup title drought ever. By the time the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco rolls around, Brazil's drought will surpass the previous longest 24-year stretch from 1970 to 1994, during which Brazil did not lift the biggest championship in sports. That 1994 tournament, of course, also took place in the United States, with Brazilians hoping to end the drought in a similarly magical fashion in North America this time around.
Alas, that reality did not come to pass. Six straight World Cup appearances (and counting) without being the last team standing. Woof.
Let's put this another way. Almost two full generations of Brazilians who have been (rightfully) regaled with stories of Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, and Garrincha, among others, will not have witnessed a World Cup victory by the time we reach 2030. That is flat-out bonkers. For those of you stateside, that is like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, or Green Bay Packers going almost three decades without winning it all. It is unprecedented and the kind of failure that makes the most successful soccer nation in the world raise a generation of people who no longer expect ultimate glory the way their older family members and ancestors did.
This is where we are with Brazil's men's soccer team. It is no longer the envy of international soccer. Not even close. Instead, it is merely an all-time capsule of tradition and beautiful play that fades into memory and obscurity more and more with each passing four years.
Brazil won it all in 2002, in the tournament jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan. It defeated Germany in the final, with Turkey and South Korea taking third and fourth place, respectively.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Brazil now has its longest-ever World Cup title drought after Norway loss
Continue reading...
And yet, none of that previous, distant success matters in the modern era of soccer. Because it clearly doesn't translate to the current team.
After a loss to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday, Brazil now officially has its longest World Cup title drought ever. By the time the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco rolls around, Brazil's drought will surpass the previous longest 24-year stretch from 1970 to 1994, during which Brazil did not lift the biggest championship in sports. That 1994 tournament, of course, also took place in the United States, with Brazilians hoping to end the drought in a similarly magical fashion in North America this time around.
Alas, that reality did not come to pass. Six straight World Cup appearances (and counting) without being the last team standing. Woof.
Let's put this another way. Almost two full generations of Brazilians who have been (rightfully) regaled with stories of Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, and Garrincha, among others, will not have witnessed a World Cup victory by the time we reach 2030. That is flat-out bonkers. For those of you stateside, that is like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Lakers, or Green Bay Packers going almost three decades without winning it all. It is unprecedented and the kind of failure that makes the most successful soccer nation in the world raise a generation of people who no longer expect ultimate glory the way their older family members and ancestors did.
This is where we are with Brazil's men's soccer team. It is no longer the envy of international soccer. Not even close. Instead, it is merely an all-time capsule of tradition and beautiful play that fades into memory and obscurity more and more with each passing four years.
When was the last time Brazil won the men's World Cup?
Brazil won it all in 2002, in the tournament jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan. It defeated Germany in the final, with Turkey and South Korea taking third and fourth place, respectively.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Brazil now has its longest-ever World Cup title drought after Norway loss
Continue reading...
