Opinion – Tostão: It is still too early to place Vinicius Junior among the best in the world

For some time, I have criticized the outdated way of playing of several Brazilian teams, the absence of more stars in the selection, at the level of the best in the world, and the flawed and disorganized structure of Brazilian football. They are reflections of what is happening in the country, the lack of professionalism, the little insistence on doing things well and the little technical, social, educational and moral development that plagues Brazil.

But I’m not blind. I recognize that many things have improved in football, such as the presence, last year, of three strong clubs, on and off the field, Flamengo, Atlético and Palmeiras. Other teams, such as Fortaleza, Bragantino and Athletico, had, on average, good results and performances. I also saw evolutions in game strategies: pressure to recover the ball, block defense and attack and greater exchange of passes.

In the selection, hopes increased with the enormous evolution of Vinicius Junior and with the good performances, in the clubs and in the Brazilian team, of several other players, such as Paquetá, Fabinho, Militão, Raphinha and Antony.

The selection lacks exceptional players in the role of centre-forward, on the sides and in the midfield, in that position that is called in Brazil as the second midfielder – who plays from one intermediate to the other, who scores, builds and attacks.

The best player in this position in Brazil, Edenílson, was not called up, not because of injustice, but because of the country’s inability to form great players in that position. Edenílson is 32 years old, stands out more for his physical strength, for his ability to attack and defend, and he did not make the usual formation of the basic categories.

Daniel Alves, who will be 39 years old at the World Cup, was called up and will probably be the starter at the World Cup. Against Real Madrid, in addition to showing his class in passing, Vinicius Junior scored well. Instead of coming along to take the ball, Daniel backed away so he wouldn’t get the ball in the back. Brazil has no other excellent player for the position. Danilo, injured, is just a good player, and Emerson, called up, has no talent to play for the national team.

Tite changed, in the last calls, several players. Firmino, Richarlison, who is injured, and Everton Cebolinha left, and Raphinha, Antony, Matheus Cunha, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior entered. At Real, Vinicius Junior learned to be a fast winger and dribbler and also to enter the middle, at the right moment, to define the play with a pass or with a shot. But it’s still too early to put him at the level of the best players in the world.

As Neymar is injured and Paquetá, suspended for the first match against Ecuador, it is likely that, according to the tactical scheme that has been used, Coutinho, even out of shape, will be Neymar’s replacement, to act closer to the striker. . This is the best position for him, as he dribbles and finishes well from outside the area. In the 2018 World Cup, Coutinho played very far back, in the role of Renato Augusto. He didn’t have the physical strength to attack and defend.

When Vinicius Junior is on the left and Neymar is in the center, close to the striker, Tite will have to find a position for Paquetá, on the right or further back, in place of Fred, at least in some moments of the match.

Paquetá can also play further ahead, as in Lyon, between Vinicius Junior and Neymar, two aggressive forwards, who need to have a facilitator, with quick and accurate touches. I know this story. Life and football neither started nor ended with the internet.