The big debate in Brasil is 1958 vs. 1970. Some people have a soft spot for the 1982 team because of the beautiful brand of soccer they played but I simply can't call a team that didn't even reach the semifinals of the WC, the best team ever. I would give a slight edge to 1970. As for the worst, let's say since 1950 because that is when Brasil really took off. I would say the worst team Brasil has ever brought to a WC was 1990. The team had many injuries and players with big egos and never really came together.
Are you limiting it to world cup teams? Assuming you are not.... Worst : You don't have to go further than the team that played the WCQ '02 game in BA. Or the team that went to Copa America 2001 in Colombia. Best :
Best: 1958. As was mentioned before, this team won the World Cup twice, 1958 and 1962, and other than Italy in 1934 and 1938, the Brazil team was basically the same, fielding 8 players that participated in both finals (Italy only had 2 players in both finals, thus it was two different sides). Worst: 1990 (pretty poor for Brazil`s standards). Honorary mention: 1974 (dull and defensive team, that lacked several key players).
You're right. I took a quick glance at my message after writing it and for some reason thought it might be unclear, but actually it was pretty clear. I will never question myself again.
The worst team without a doubt is the 1990 team. No style, no winning. If Brazil has to play like that, at least win, a la 1994. At least the 1974 team had Rivelino.
Best ever: 1958 or 1970. The former: you have a teenage Pelé surrounded with other superstars, notably Garrincha; the team awes everybody, humiliates the Olympic champion Soviet team, and wins it all in style. in 1970, Pelé is nearly 30; Garrincha is gone, but there are many other great names, all "10" in their clubs: Rivelino, Tostão, Carlos Alberto, etc. Worst ever: 2000-2001, notably the one that lost to Honduras. But from those ashes arose the phoenix that lifted the World Cup in glory in Japan. Worst World Cup team: 1990? Only because it finished in the round of 16. Let's debate: if that early exit warrants "worst ever" status, what about 1966, when the 2-time defending champion went out in the first round? Just because that team had Pelé and Garrincha and even some of the 1970 heroes? Although there was dissension, bickering, lack of professionalism on the part of some, that team was not THAT awful. The problem? Sebastião Lazaroni failed to realize that the 3-5-2 with a zonal marking system which overwhelmed Argentina in the previous year's Copa América might not be so efficient in the World Cup against the same opponent. The team won all 3 first round games (1994 and 1998 did not see that) and played a GREAT match against the defending champions. We were better from start to end, hit the woodwork a few times, and in the only truly great play they had, they scored. Would that 1990 team have beaten Yugoslavia, w/ Prosinecki? Perhaps. Would it have beaten that strong Italian side? In regulation, maybe not. In penalty kicks.... I dare say that the 1990 team would not have been manhandled by Germany as Argentina was, and this is not a swipe vs. Argentina. OK, DISCUSS!
OK. I've given it some thought. Here's my complete list, (assuming we're talking about WC teams since 1950). Please feel free to ridicule. All time Brasil teams, in order 1) 1970 2) 1958 3) 1982 4) 1962 5) 2002 6) 1978 7) 1998 8) 1986 9) 1950 10) 1994 11) 1966 12) 1954 13) 1974 14) 1990
I like the list. But the one thing that sticks out is how little love the 1994 team receives in Brasil. This team won the first World Cup in 24 years. I think many people get hung up on the "jogo bonito" stuff. The 1994 team completely controlled every game. The game was basically played on the other team's side of the field. There is no way 1998 was better than 1994. I also don't see how 1978 is better than 1994. It is also fascinating what a special place the 1982 team holds in people's hearts. That was a beautiful team, but also very careless. They represented everything good and bad about Brasil. If you could combine that team's talent with a little of the '94 mentality, you would have a perfect team.
My list of the best Brazilian WC teams in descending order are: 1) 1970 2) 1958 3) 1982 4) 2002 (if only the last three Brazil's matches of WC 2002 were considered then 2002 would definitely be better than 1982) 5) 1962 6) 1994 7) 1950 8) 1998 9) 1938 10) 1986 11) 1974 12) 1966 13) 1990 14) 1954
I think 1950 is underrated. That was a hell of a team, actually. Beat Sweden 7-1, Spain 6-1, Yugoslavia 2-0. Great players like Juvenal, Bauer, Bigode, Friaca, Ademir, and Jair. Also 1954 wasn`t all that bad. It had Didi, Julinho, Nilton Santos, etc. Julinho was the best right wing of the tournament!
Not to mention Brazil's first great keeper, Barbosa, who will unfortunately always be remembered for the loss, and unjustly blamed for it.
Great catch, Gregoriak. Losers (in the most liberal interpretation of the word, since you can't be a "loser" if you make it to a WC final) never get remembered in true light, do they? In addition to the great ones you posted above one cannot leave out Meastre Zizinho (who's in the top 5 Brasil all-time). You're right. I saw a documentary back in '98-'99 in which an ageing Barbosa talks about how even as an ex-player, decades after the "tragedy," he would sometimes get insulted over Maracanazo. He said something to the effect that "my only crime was to have suffered a goal." It was heart-breaking because you could see the pain on his face...pretty sad statement on how irrational football fans can be. Plus, it seems that after that incident Brasilian's of colour were viewed as not trustworthy enough to play the GK position. It took almost 4 decades to change that mentality. PS - I believe the documentary was called "Futebol". It aired over a weeks' time on one of the cable stations on NET in Rio. It followed the aspirations of a teenager trying out for the big clubs in Rio (kind of like "Hoop Dreams" for basketball); as well as looking ino the beginnings of a young Flamengo player in the intitial stages of his professional career; as well as mini-interviews with many of the living greats of Brasilian football (Didi was well featured here, Ombak). Gives you a small insight into what football represents to the Brasilain people. Its worth viewing, and am sure its on DVD by now.
Zizinho scored 30 times for Brazil, he must belong to the all-time Brazil Greats. I didn`t feel comfortable mentioning Barbosa, not being sure if his standing among Brazil fans is still as bad as it was. Thankfully, the new generation of Brazil supporters don`t seem to mind his mistake that much.
Best Brazil of all time: 1958 (In Sweden, Brazil won the most difficult first round group of all time with Austria, England and USSR. The following matches, with the teenager Pelé, were fantastic: 1-0 Wales, 5-2 France and 5-2 Sweden) Worst Brazil of all time: 2000-1 (Hmmm... 0-1 Ecuador, 0-1 Australia, 0-2 Honduras - The results proof by itselves)
The Best 1958 The Worst 1990 However this 1990 team was still better than 90% of the other teams in the world(world cup included) at that time