A more plausible explanation would be that Thiago chose to play for Spain because he deems them to be better. Just like he chose to go to Barcelona as a child as opposed to staying with Flamengo.
LOL Thiago is brasilian the fact that he plays for spain has to do with circumstances. He's as much spanish as Messi is spanish. And thiago has already been hyped as iniesta and xavi successors so the hype comes from spain. Rafa Alcantara played for Brasil in the U-20 world cup. Is he spanish too and brasil stole him from you guys. Rodrigo Moreno is another donation from brasil to spain enjoy the gifts. []__[]
You can look at it, explain it, or reason it any way you feel like but the fact of the matter is that thiago alcantara is a brasilian playing for spain. The reasons for he choosing spain are not important. []__[]
Thiago identified more with Spaniards, rafa more with brazillians. He has spanish citizenship, he is spanish. Thiago, and rodrgo cultivated their skills in Spain, yet they are a donation from brazil? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA If they stayed in brazil they'd be bums, playing futsal in some slum.
Having spanish citizenship doesnt make you spanish first of all. Secondly thiago was born in italy and lived in brasil for a few years before moving to spain. So to say he's a product of spain is like saying messi is a product of spain. Loads of talented players move to other countries when they are young but they are young. I guess Pique and Fabergas are products of england with your reasoning. As for saying they wouldve been bums if they stayed in brasil i just lol. Yeah brasil produces bums that's why barca and madrid are after neymar and are willing to pay 50M euros for a 21yr old kid. PSG payed 45 for Lucas Moura and Chelsea 35 for Oscar. That's why there are more brasilians playing all over europe than any other country in the world because of the bums they produce. []__[]
In europe anybody that plays for a National team is world class.. there's a whole other thread discussing what's world class or not. Depending on people's opinion of what world class is, that number will vary a lot.
I would say, world-class is literally "enough class for the world". In other words, "would this player look put of place in a 23-man 'World' squad", or "is he top five in his position right now". Neuer, for example, is world-class; he is top five in his position, and he would fit right into any World XI IMO. A bit more stringent than most people's definition, but much less stringent than yours, if I understand it. Out of Brazil's entire repertoire of players, I'd say Thiago Slva is world-class, Marcelo is world-class, Paulinho is world-class, and I'm beginning to warm to the idea Neymar could be world-class as well.
Brasil best 11 all world class players with Hulk, Damiao, Bernard, Wellington Nem, Hernanes, Dougals Costa, Danilo Silva, Rafal Cabral, Paulinho, Fernando (gremio), Marquinhos, Douglas (Twente), coming of the bench.
I think your definition of World class is better than most people's definition. But here is the thing, I think Neuer and Buffon are currently the only 2 GK which stand alone. But most people would then start citing names of other GKs just because they play for certain it teams. And that dilutes the idea of world class. I also think that in Brazil there's T.Silva, Paulinho, Marcelo and Neymar. The rest are very good players but those 4 stand alone on their position.
Looks good to me. Ramires , hernanes and JC should come ...Cant we replace that David luiz.. I am sick and tired of that guy.......He is very error prone.. A single error and that can spell disaster for the Brazilian team. Is he really that good so that we cant get any good replacements?
Indeed. Luiz is a terrible player when it comes to passing on the midfield. He used to play as a DM at Chelsea, till an important DM was no longer injured. IMO Scolari should play with Kaka and Willian in the midfield, does a great job in the games he plays for Madrid.
How do these 3 stand alone on their positions though when they can't just walk into the starting line up of every team (especially Paulinho & Marcelo to a lesser extent)???
How on earth can you say Pato is world class? Even strikers far more proven than him, e.g. Benzema, get constantly criticized.
Isn't your definition of "world-class" pretty much all-time greats like Maradona, Pelè, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, etc.?
No, he really isn't that good. Must have some kind of leverage or incriminating picture of Scolari naked or something. That's the only plausible explanation in my mind; either that or Scolari's blind. He sucks. Period. I remember at one point in the Russia match he had the ball and ran with it pointlessly forward with reckless abandon until he lost it. Summed him up for me; reckless, gloryhunting, and positionally unsound. Dante, Rever, and Dedè don't deserve to be behind him in the pecking order.
They do not need to be world-class players. They need to be a world-class team. That is Brazil biggest problem today: it is 11 players dressing alike, not a soccer team.
What about todays Spain vs France today? What is spain draws or loses? I have heard that the worst runners up will be eliminated. Does spain come in that category? I dont think france will go all out today because they know that a draw is enough for them .
To be fair, when has this not been true of the Brazilian NT? They just used to have enough WC players to overcome that.
My definition of World Class is more of all time, but I was putting it under your definition, as those players are the one I felt like they could start in a best of the world 11.