My Preferred 23 to Russia 2018: Brazil

This year’s World Cup which holds in Russia is about a month away. Naturally Nigeria is my team at tournaments like this but I usually tend to lean towards Brazil whenever the Super Eagles get eliminated up until 2002 when I switched to England and dumped every other team. I had witnessed 6 World Cup tourneys before now with U.S.A ’94 being the first and my favourite. Yea I am that old, though my brothers and cousins told me stories about World Cups past which made me have keen interest in the U.S.A ’94 edition. No regrets whatsoever because that tournament sealed my love for the sport and I got to see my favourite Brazilian footballer (Romario De Souza Faria) ever play.

Russia 2018 looks like a tournament which could be shrouded with controversy judging by the political issues surrounding the host nation. Hey I really do not know much about politics but I would be glad if nothing affects the success of the tournament.

Back to the crux of the matter, I am going to be supporting 4 teams from the 32 participating at the World Cup. These 4 teams are Brazil, England, France and Nigeria but I expect Brazil and France to go all the way to the final and either to win the trophy.

Only 8 countries have won the World Cup which has been contested for 20 times before now with Brazil winning it the most (5 times). Italy and Germany have won it 4 times, Argentina and Uruguay twice with England, Spain, France all winning it once to make up the total of 20.

Find below my preferred 23 players to grace the tournament for Brazil.

Brazil (Selecao):

The only team to have qualified for all 21 World Cup tournaments. They won the Jules Rimet cup which the World Cup was known as at some point thrice (1958, 1962 and 1970) and retained it for achieving the feat of winning it 3 times. The Selecao also won the 1994 and 2002 editions. Edson Arantes De Nacimento also known as Pele is adjudged to be the best Brazilian footballer ever but I take exception and honestly think it was Ronaldo De Lima. Pele is the leading top scorer with 77 goals.

Goalkeepers

1. Allison (AS Roma)
2. Ederson (Manchester City)
3. Neto (Valencia)

Defenders

4. Rafinha (Bayern Munich)

5. Thiago Silva (P.S.G)

6. Miranda (Inter Milan)

7. Marquinhos (P.S.G)

8. Marcelo (Real Madrid)

9. Ismaily (Shakhtar Donestk)

10. Fagner (Corinthians)

Midfielders

11. Fernandinho (Manchester City)

12. Casemiro (Real Madrid)

13. Paulinho (Barcelona)

14. Coutinho (Barcelona)

15. Fred (Shakhtar Donestk)

16. Willian (Chelsea)

17. Anderson Talisca (Beskitas)

18. Renato Augusto (Beijing Sinobo Guoan)

19. Douglas Costa (Juventus)

Forwards

20. Neymar Junior (P.S.G)

21. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)

22. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

23. Willian Jose (Real Sociedad)

Dani Alves would be missing the World Cup due to a knee injury he picked up. Please pardon me for picking 7 defenders. I just think Brazil doesn’t even need much defenders to thrive as a team.

Next up is my preferred 23 for England.

Thanks for your time guys.