Juan Arango/MAF - If there is a team that will be a carnival everywhere they go, Brazil will take top honors. From the 23 players on the roster to the fans that come from all over the world to support their beloved verdeamarelho, Brazil is second to none. They are currently coming into this tournament as the defending Confederations Cup champions. They were able to arrive to this tournament courtesy of the 3-0 shellacking they gave Argentina in Venezuela in the final of the Copa América back in 2007. Since then the team has seen its wide variety of ups and downs.
This year's edition seems to be more solid than your dad's Brazil sides. After lacking consistency during the early portion of the World Cup qualifiers, the Canarinha seemed to have found their form and Dunga's detractors have been silenced. There was not one match that did it, there were a series of victories that culminated in their historic 4-0 win in Montevideo against Uruguay and their 2-1 win in Recife against Paraguay.Headliners
So if there is a team that is peaking, it is also Brazil. Also consider that their spot in the South Africa for next year is virtually assured, they will focus their energies on this tournament. Their cast of characters are various and at any moment any one of them can take over.
Let´s start with the one that made the most headlines the past couple of days- Kaká. The newly signed Real Madrid superstar will have the most pomp and glitter surrounding him; but that will not be unusual for any Brazil camp.
Brazil is still a team that is flooded with stars from 1-11, yet which Brazilian call-up is not full of controversy. The two biggest absentees are undoubtedly "O Gordinho" Ronaldo and Adriano. Also the name Ronaldinho has also faded into virtual obscurity from the national team and will be probably the biggest gamble in Giuliano Galliani and Silvio Berlusconi's era as top dogs at AC Milan.
Right now there is not a significant weakness on this squad. Defense is solid. The midfield is solid. The only enemy that Brazil has as a threat is their own collective calmness. it is crazy to say this but Brazil plays very calm when they are not in Brazil and when they are not the prohibited favorites to win a title.
The recipe is set for Brazil to have success if that is the case.
Goalkeepers:
Julio Cesar (Inter Milan-Ita), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur-Eng), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders:
Maicon (Inter Milan-Ita), Daniel Alves (Barcelona-Esp), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians), Alex (Chelsea-Eng), Juan (Roma-Ita), Lucio (Bayern Munich-Ger), Luisao (Benfica-Por)
Midfielders:
Anderson (Manchester United-Eng), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos-Gre), Josue (Wolfsburg-Ger), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City-Eng), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina-Ita), Julio Baptista (Roma-Ita), Kaka (Real Madrid-Esp)
Forwards:
Alexandre Pato (AC Milan-Ita), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla-Esp), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City-Esp) Tweet this!
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