World Cup 2014 - can Brazil win it?

When it was announced that Brazil would host the 2014 World Cup there was huge celebration that the competition was finally coming back to South America after an absence of 36 years. The Samba Boys are the only team to have competed in every single World Cup since its beginning in 1930 and they still remain the most successful country with five titles to their name. Will they manage to celebrate a home triumph and claim a sixth trophy?

We are all anticipating a fantastically colourful and entertaining show next year and Brazil are sure to want to put on a stunning tournament and create a carnival type atmosphere. The last and only time they hosted the event was back in 1950, when they finished as runners-up to Uruguay. Since then they have enjoyed more success than any other nation, although there appears to be a change to their supreme dominance of the international game during the last decade, as European countries like Spain and Germany have surpassed them. 

Critics have claimed that the mass exodus of players to Portugal and other European leagues, blinded by the huge salaries on offer, has weakened the domestic leagues. Those that do move abroad at a young age are not developing as they would have done had they stayed and they are often spending far too much time on the substitutes bench, unable to break into the first team. Not playing regularly is one problem, but there also seems to be a lack of creative midfielders and flair players that are so classically linked with the Brazilian game. Rugged, athletic, powerful midfielders have become the preference and this seems to be at odds with the desire for free-flowing play. Ramires at Chelsea seems to be one of the few that can combine athleticism with good link up play and he will be vital to the team if they are hoping to go all the way.

In terms of strikers, Neymar is the new jewel in the crown and he has taken on the role occupied by Ronaldo for so many years. Constant rumours circle about a possible move to Spain, with Barcelona appearing to have the edge over Real Madrid, but as yet the superstar seems reluctant to leave Santos and is happy in Brazil. Many speculate that he will make the move to Europe after the World Cup and he would love to arrive on the back of a Brazil triumph.

Spain and Germany will likely be the favourites for the tournament, but with home support expecting a Brazilian masterclass there will be a lot of pressure on them to perform to the fans exceptionally high standards. Can they deliver when it matters most and reclaim the trophy they last won in 2002?

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