Sports Desk:

Brazil lost the chance to win back-to-back Copa America after becoming 2nd best to Argentina at home in 2021. They will now look to regain their glory. For that, they have announced their 23-man squad ahead of Copa America 2024 which will kick off on the 20th of June.

Brazil Squad for Copa America 2024

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Éderson (Manchester City), Bento (Athletico-PR).

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG), Wendell (FC Porto), Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), and Militão (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), and Lucas Paquetá (West Ham).

Forwards: Endrick (Palmeiras), Martinelli (Arsenal), Evanilson (Porto), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona), and Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).

Analysis of the Brazil Squad for Copa America 2024

The new coach of Brazil, Dorival Júnior, has opted to go on the mission of winning Copa America with a fresh squad. As a result, many familiar and experienced faces over the years for Brazil have been left out of the team. The list includes Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro, Dani Alves, and Fabinho, the players Dorival did not pick from the squad for World Cup 2022.

He also left out some players because of form and injury issues. Therefore, star players like Neymar, Casemiro, Richarlison, and Gabriel Jesus make the list of prominent absentees from the squad.

The wealth of experience missing in the squad can be a huge miss for Brazil as it is hard to replace. However, it has also allowed Brazil to test and get new winners for their team. Young Prodigy Endrick and Savio have been called up along with Yan Couto, Douglas Luiz, Beraldo, and João Gomes after impressive performances this season.

Their attack on paper is one of the best in the world currently. Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are on their way to leading Real Madrid to their 15th UCL and League-UCL double. Savinho has been performing brilliantly to take Girona to the UCL this season. He is one of the best dribblers in Europe this season as well. Endrick already has 2 goals in his first 92 minutes for Brazil. Martinelli, Raphinha, and Evanilson can also shine on their day. Their attack looks secure and blazing. It is the strongest unit of their team.

Their defense also has a solid starting unit. Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães are a tested duo for them and quite reliable as well following their performances at PSG and Arsenal this season. Due to their form this season, Wendell and Yan Couto are possible starting full-back candidates. However, their backup of these players might be a point to worry about. Militão has been out for almost the whole season through injury. Beraldo is a solid CB but quite young as well. Yet their defense looks good to go.

Goalkeeping is one of the least concerns for them having two of the best in business Alisson Becker and Éderson fighting for the spot.

The midfield has been a problem for quite some years now for Brazil. Even after having some of the best players in the world, it just doesn’t seem to click for them. The coaches also often fail to figure out the best combination of midfield. The concern remains this time too.

Though they have names like Bruno Guimarães, Andreas Pereira, Douglas Luiz, and Lucas Paquetá in their arsenal who can create plenty from the midfield, they don’t have a specialist defensive midfielder to play the destroyer role in the team. This might be a big issue for them in the tournament.

Bruno Guimarães has been starting regularly for them since the World Cup and is supposed to lead their midfield this time. He might join with two of Douglas Luiz, Andreas Pereira, and Lucas Paquetá. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see what combination will Dorival Junior choose for the Copa America 2024.

Key Players from Brazil Squad of Copa America 2024

Alisson Becker

The goalkeepers always have a big role to play in such tournaments. Alisson Becker would have to do the same for Brazil. They should pass the group stage ahead of Columbia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica. But the knock-out stage can be tricky with the tie-breaker equation. Alisson has to be the biggest savior of Brazil here.

Bruno Guimarães

With the absence of Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães has an enormous responsibility to lead and carry the Brazilian midfield. He is capable in every sense of doing the job. However, Brazil will largely depend on him to dominate the middle of the park which has not been working for quite some time now. Therefore, he will be a differentiating player for Brazil this time.

Vinícius Júnior

Vinícius Júnior is arguably the best winger in the world currently. He is going to be the spearhead of the Brazilian attack. After leading Real Madrid to the La Loga title this season and on the verge of winning the UEFA Champions League with 32 goal contributions, not many people would doubt him being the force to win the Copa America 2024 for Brazil.

Rodrygo

Rodrygo was the helping hand of Vinícius Júnior for what Real Madrid has achieved this season. He has overall 26 goal contributions and played a massive part in their success. If he can pair up with Vinícius Júnior for Brazil as he does at Real Madrid, great things are waiting for Brazil in this Copa America 2024.

Endrick

Endrick might be the trump card for Brazil. The new young prodigy of this great footballing nation has. He has taken the world by storm after scoring against England and Spain in back-to-back games this March. He scored 2 goals in 92 minutes of game-time for Brazil. With Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, he can cause havoc on the opponent’s defense which is the best output for Brazil.

Performance of Brazil Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Table: Overview of Brazil’s stats after the last World Cup

Brazil Since FIFA World Cup 2022

Played   Won      Loss       Draw     Goals Scored      Goals Conceded

11           4             5             2             19           17

Brazil have been in a shaky position since the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They have played 11 games of which they have won only 4 while losing 5. They scored 19 goals but conceded 17 too. Additionally, the most productive player of the squad was Neymar in these games who will be unavailable for this game. Although, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are capable of filling that void. Yet they are not providing as much as fans would hope for them to.

Additionally, despite having a solid defensive core, their goal-conceded ratio is alarming which raises a question about Brazil’s defense. Adding to that, their midfield is not very strong this time. At least compared to the rivals, they may fall short in this department which can cause them woes.

Compared to the solid performances of the teams like Argentina and Uruguay, they are not the top favorites this time. However, they should easily march on to the semi-finals of how the draw has gone. From there on, it is anybody’s game. And you never write off Brazil, or the players they have this time.

Verdict

Brazil are supposed to go to the semis of Copa America 2024 quite comfortably. Considering the depth in attack, Brazil is one of the best in the world, and the defense created by in-form defenders remains their biggest strength. If these players click well, Brazil are very much on course for their 10th Copa America title.