Brazil’s class of 2011 aiming for glory at Qatar World Cup

While lifting trophies at youth level is no guarantee of future success, the Brazil team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 had the individual and collective qualities that many a coach dreams of. “If it’s not the best U-20 side Brazil has ever had, it’s one of the best,” said Ney Franco, the man who coached that team of 19 and 20-year-olds, in conversation with FIFA+. “They won South American and world titles and that side was a springboard for many top players.”Four of those world champions will be aiming to repeat the trick at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in three months’ time and add another world title to their CVs: the full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro, midfielder Casemiro and attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho. Lifting the World Cup Trophy would cap their impressive careers and confirm just how much they have developed over the last 11 years. “If you look at where these players are, most of them are playing for big clubs in Brazil and around the world,” said Franco. There is another famous name from that generation who cannot be overlooked: Neymar. The then Santos starlet was part of the side that romped to the South American title but missed the U-20 World Cup to spearhead the senior national team at the Copa America that year. To put it all into perspective, there are some distinguished members of that history-making generation of Brazilian players who have excelled since Colombia 2011 but who may well be left out of Tite’s squad for Qatar 2022. “Aside from those four, there’s another one who’s a certainty for the World Cup [Neymar],” commented Franco. “And if you look back at previous tournaments, Lucas Moura has played for A Seleção on several occasions, and Oscar has played at the World Cup too [Brazil 2014].”That Colombia 2011 squad also included the defender Juan Jesus, midfielder Allan, full-back Gabriel Silva, attacking midfielder Alan Patrick and the centre-forward Willian Jose, all of whom have since gone on to have fine careers in Europe’s top leagues. Back on the domestic scene meanwhile, attacking midfielder Dudu starred in Palmeiras’ two recent Copa Libertadores triumphs. The fact that so many players from that squad have gone on to have successful careers begs a question: did Franco believe at the time they would kick on and make it? When did he realise just how much talent he had at his disposal?“After the final of the South American U-20 Championships, when we beat Uruguay 6-0,” he answered. “What those kids did in that game, on a heavy pitch, against a team like that, just showed that we had a special group on our hands. And that was without Dudu and Philippe Coutinho. They’re all well-known players today, but we had to work really hard at the time to bring it all together. We trained throughout December and for virtually the whole of January. Neymar was already a star and others were just breaking through, but there were other guys who were delighted to be there.”Philippe Coutinho and Dudu eventually took the places of Neymar and Lucas Moura, who was also called up for Copa America duty, which meant A Selecao travelled to Colombia with a fearsome side. “Philippe was a very different kind of player to Neymar, but he had European experience already [with Inter Milan],” said Franco. “He was just coming back from injury and was looking to rediscover his best form, but he was a player who commanded the respect of defenders, which was really important.” Though the team was strong, World Cup campaigns are never straightforward, and Brazil’s Colombia 2011 run began with a disappointing draw against Egypt. Quickly recovering their poise, they then beat Austria and Panama to top their group.Waiting for them in the quarter-finals were a strong Spain side featuring the likes of Isco, Koke, Rodrigo, Sergio Canales and Sergi Roberto. It turned out to be a thriller, with the sides locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time, which meant a penalty shootout, with Brazil edging it 4-2. Brazil had no option but to chase after the ball for much of the first half, with the balance of the game only shifting when Casemiro brought all his versatility and talent to bear, the very qualities he would go on to show in starring in midfield for Real Madrid. Danilo and Alex Sandro also played important roles at the back for that team, showing the potential that took them both from Santos to Porto – from where Danilo moved on to Real Madrid and Manchester City before linking up with his old teammate again at Juventus. In Alex Sandro’s case, however, his main contribution came at the South American Championships, with an untimely injury ending his U-20 World Cup in Brazil’s opening match. The quartet have high expectations ahead of Qatar 2022, which kicks off on November 20. So how does Franco see Brazil’s chances of success at the big event? “They’re definitely one of the five favourites for the title, but it’s one of those World Cups where you can’t be sure who’s going to make the Final,” he said. “The big difference is that A Seleção will be going there with a much more experienced coaching staff, with people who were there at the last World Cup, with players they already know, and who have the authority you need. “Preparations are a little bit different this time, which is maybe because it’s taking place at the end of the year and because of the environment there [Qatar]. It’s good that there’s not much buzz this time and that the team doesn’t have that red-hot favourites tag.”