Brazil not too experienced despite oldest squad
JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Brazil will begin the World Cup with the oldest squad at the tournament, but not the most experienced one.
The Brazilian team has the oldest player average among all squads at 29 years and 3 months, and it is also its oldest ever at World Cups. But most players summoned by coach Dunga are making their debut in football’s biggest tournament and are far from veterans.
Only nine players are back for their second World Cup, and only three of those were starters in 2006 in Germany—defenders Juan and Lucio and playmaker Kaka.
But when Dunga revamped the Brazilian team after the disappointing 2006 campaign, he left many World Cup veterans out of the squad—including Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos—picking lesser-known players not as experienced as the omitted stars.
Some of the newcomers are actually older than those left out, but they are much newer to the national team.
The 31-year-old Grafite came to South Africa having played only two matches with Brazil, while the 30-year-old Doni played 10 matches. The oldest Brazilian in the squad is reserve left back Gilberto at 34, and he has played in only 33 matches with Brazil.
The Brazilians downplay the lack of experience, however, and say most in the squad are already used to the big stage with their clubs.
“These players are winners at their clubs, they are in their first World Cup but they have won many titles already,” said the 33-year-old Gilberto Silva, playing in his third World Cup. “Of course that once in a while they will come with a question about how it’s going to be like (at the World Cup), but it’s normal. The most important thing is to try to make them feel comfortable, as if they were with their clubs.”
But even some of Brazil’s starters in South Africa have not been regulars with the national team.
Left back Michel Bastos has only played five matches with Brazil, including the two warmups Brazil played against Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Defensive midfielder Felipe Melo will be making his 19th match with the five-time champion when it debuts against North Korea on Tuesday.
Five of the starters have yet to reach 50 international appearances with Brazil, including goalkeeper Julio Cesar, midfielder Elano and striker Luis Fabiano.
“I’ve been through the difficulties of 2006 and the good moments of 2002,” Gilberto Silva said. “It’s always a learning experience. You learn with the victories and the losses. Hopefully my experience will help these players, maybe with a world or two, when they are a bit more anxious”
Most of the players in this year’s squad were in Dunga’s team at the Confederations Cup in South Africa in 2009. Only Michel Bastos, Thiago Silva and Grafite have yet to win any titles with Brazil.
The bulk of the experience this year is at the defense, with 32-year-old Lucio and 31-year-old Juan playing their second consecutive World Cup together.
Lucio, coming off his Champions League title with Inter Milan, won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and the 2005 and 2009 Confederations Cups. Juan also was with Brazil when it won the two Confederations Cup, and he also helped the team win the 2004 and 2007 Copa America. They are likely playing at their last World Cup.
“Those who may be young enough to play another World Cup will have to play just as hard because no one can assure they will be in the 2014 team,” Juan said. “We know how difficult it is to be part of the Brazilian national team. There are always many great players showing up.”
Lucio is the team’s captain this year, and along with Gilberto Silva is the player with most matches with Brazil entering the World Cup, with 93. Juan comes next with 76 matches.
The Italian squad is the most experienced in terms of World Cup appearances, with the players participating in a total of 69 matches. England is next with 55.
The youngest Brazilian player is Ramires at 23, and he has played in 13 matches.
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