- The Selecao have have lost a wise head with the Ballon d'Or-winner's injury but gained the flexibility and verve of the in-form Liverpool star
Every great team needs an on-field leader. An idol, a craque. From Pele to Zico, Romario to Ronaldo, five-time world champions Brazil have certainly had their fair share. Current coach Dunga now has captain Neymar, officially recognised as the third-best player on the planet this year.
But before Ney, in Dunga’s first spell on the Selecao bench between 2006 and 2010, he had Kaka. The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner became the reference point for the rest of the squad and for the entire nation. Now 33 years old and plying his trade in MLS with Orlando City, many may have thought Kaka’s decorated international career would have come to an end by now, but Dunga had other ideas.
The 2002 World Cup-winner was left out of the squad for Copa America 2014, but has been included in a number of groups in order to share his experience with the younger members of the squad. Following the 7-1 defeat to Germany, Dunga and his staff have made a concerted effort to surround the squad with former world champions, with his rotating guest-coach policy introduced as a way to remind the players of the five stars they represent.
Dunga views Kaka’s presence as particularly important for World Cup qualifying ahead of Russia 2018. Hosts in 2014, Brazil had not played a qualifier since 2009, when Kaka led Dunga’s counter-attacking Selecao to South Africa as Conmebol group winners.
Of the original 23 called up for March’s clashes with Uruguay and Paraguay, only Miranda, Filipe Luis and Dani Alves had featured in a qualifier prior to this campaign. He may not wear an armband, but Dunga sees Kaka as a leader in his inexperienced squad, offering a sympathetic ear during times of stress and reassuring words in moments of adversity.
But this month they’ll have to do without the former Milan star after an injury sustained in an Orlando City training session ruled Kaka out of the squad. Dunga has lost a presence, but he may well have gained something else in in-form Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino.
All 11 of the 24-year-old's Brazil caps have arrived under Dunga, and all came in the false no.9 position. In England, however, Firmino has shown he is capable of operating deeper, too, drifting across the attacking line and also coming forward from deeper positions more reminiscent of the attacking midfield role in which he was often utilised at former club Hoffenheim.
He has also proved his worth in Jurgen Klopp’s high-tempo, pressing style – one facet of the German game that particularly impressed Dunga during his time out of the game prior to returning to the Brazil post in July 2014.
After a slow start at Anfield, Firmino has exploded in 2016, hitting seven goals in his last eight Premier League matches. He was the hero once again last week as his strike sealed a 2-0 first-leg victory over rivals Manchester United in the Europa League round of 16.
After being left out of Dunga’s last two squads, Firmino now returns hoping to add his name to the long list of those who have made their World Cup qualifying debuts this campaign.
He may be unlikely to start against Uruguay on March 25, but having now proven his ability to star in the sort of style Dunga has been trying so hard to implement, should the coach want something extra in attack, he may well be searching his bench for Roberto Firmino this month.
Every great team needs an on-field leader. An idol, a craque. From Pele to Zico, Romario to Ronaldo, five-time world champions Brazil have certainly had their fair share. Current coach Dunga now has captain Neymar, officially recognised as the third-best player on the planet this year.
But before Ney, in Dunga’s first spell on the Selecao bench between 2006 and 2010, he had Kaka. The 2007 Ballon d’Or winner became the reference point for the rest of the squad and for the entire nation. Now 33 years old and plying his trade in MLS with Orlando City, many may have thought Kaka’s decorated international career would have come to an end by now, but Dunga had other ideas.
Dunga views Kaka’s presence as particularly important for World Cup qualifying ahead of Russia 2018. Hosts in 2014, Brazil had not played a qualifier since 2009, when Kaka led Dunga’s counter-attacking Selecao to South Africa as Conmebol group winners.
But this month they’ll have to do without the former Milan star after an injury sustained in an Orlando City training session ruled Kaka out of the squad. Dunga has lost a presence, but he may well have gained something else in in-form Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino.
He has also proved his worth in Jurgen Klopp’s high-tempo, pressing style – one facet of the German game that particularly impressed Dunga during his time out of the game prior to returning to the Brazil post in July 2014.
After a slow start at Anfield, Firmino has exploded in 2016, hitting seven goals in his last eight Premier League matches. He was the hero once again last week as his strike sealed a 2-0 first-leg victory over rivals Manchester United in the Europa League round of 16.
After being left out of Dunga’s last two squads, Firmino now returns hoping to add his name to the long list of those who have made their World Cup qualifying debuts this campaign.
He may be unlikely to start against Uruguay on March 25, but having now proven his ability to star in the sort of style Dunga has been trying so hard to implement, should the coach want something extra in attack, he may well be searching his bench for Roberto Firmino this month.
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