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Road to World Cup 26 - Ep 17 - Brazil
2 Plays22 hours ago
Join your hosts Nick Britten Ken Davies as we take the deepest of deep dives into everything related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 held in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
All the news, analysis and comment from every team, every qualification process and of course the tournament itself. The biggest festival of soccer in the world.
This week we take a deep dive into newly qualified and World Cup legends Brazil. The key players, what impact will Neymar have on or off the pitch, can Don Carlo end years of failure and much, much more.
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network
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Transcript
Introduction: Brazil's World Cup Legacy
00:00:11
Ken Davies
Oh,
00:00:15
Ken Davies
Here we go.
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
good news is, the good news is Kenny's dancing already. Now that music can mean one thing and one thing only, ladies and gentlemen. We are going to be covering today in today's episode of Road the World Cup 26, the greatest sporting nation when it comes to World Cup.
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Certainly, if any of our generation are going to go by, and that is, of course, ladies and gentlemen, Brazil.
00:00:44
Ken Davies
Brazil? Oh, yeah, what a team.
00:00:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's hear this.
00:00:47
Ken Davies
she just but That just encapsulates the World Cup for me, Brazil.
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a team, what a nation.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It does. It does. Now, as you know, we've been having a deep dive into all the qualified teams. And we've been building up to this moment. And we've been waiting for Brazil to qualify just so we can talk about it. I think, Ken, for certainly people our age, and i mean, i know you're you're a lot older than me, but even then we fall broadly under the same generation.
Personal Stories: Growing Up with Brazilian Football
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Brazil is the World Cup and the World Cup is Brazil.
00:01:12
Ken Davies
I think so. When you get a great Brazil team, you get a great World Cup. When you get an average Brazil team, it just kind of takes a little bit of air out of the World Cup tyres, if I can put it that way.
00:01:23
Ken Davies
So, yeah, we'll we'll we'll talk about we'll talk about the eras and they go through such highs and lows, Brazil. But, yeah, let's let's have a great Brazil such side at this World
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm looking forward that. looking forward to that when you talk about the history of it. I ran around, I don't know about you, I ran around pretending to be Revelinho and other players in the playground because that was my era. That was my era growing up with football.
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
they were just oh They were just such a good team. That 70s team was amazing.
00:01:52
Ken Davies
but Well, the 1970 team is the one I remember.
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really amazing.
00:01:54
Ken Davies
and my first My first real awareness through the World Cup, I wasn't i was around for 66, but I wasn't really around. But 70 I was. And i just remember that fourth goal against Italy in the in the World Cup final, where car I think was Carlos Alberto just appears from out of shot.
00:02:12
Ken Davies
So I think it's Pele just lays it off <unk>s just to space. And there's no one there. And then Carlos Alberto...
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
That must have been a deliberate chance to do it in a space.
00:02:22
Ken Davies
Yeah, Carlos Alberto just runs into the space, absolutely whacks it with his right foot, never leaves the ground by more than six inches and goes straight into the left-hand corner. I thought, they don't do that at Wrexham.
00:02:34
Ken Davies
They don't do that at Wrexham.
00:02:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:02:36
Ken Davies
This is a different kind of football.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they do do that, Rexham, but they actually kick it into actual space.
Historical Impact: Brazil in the World Cup
00:02:44
Ken Davies
it was It was absolutely mesmerising. So the 1970 World Cup for me is that it's the thing that really switched me on to football and switched me on to the World Cup because that was just unbelievable.
00:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i wasn't I wasn't born when the World Cup was on in 1970, but I do remember the teams of just about 74, but certainly 78 and just that era. And of course, I've watched the team of 70 relentlessly and and what a side they are.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll be having a look at all of that. As always, we're going to pick out five players who we think are going to be superstars at the World Cup next year. We're looking at at formations. have a look at the manager. Squeeze into all of that, of course, is everybody's favourite time of the week. It'll be Kenny's quiz.
00:03:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... Let's get cracking then with Brazil.
00:03:33
Ken Davies
don't like that call.
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's one the most recognisable. Yes, you can stop conducting now. That was one of the most recognisable national anthems in the world. What do you reckon?
00:03:49
Ken Davies
I'm not keen on it. I'm not keen on it.
00:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are you not?
00:03:51
Ken Davies
No, I'm not.
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's great.
00:03:52
Ken Davies
it's got that It's got that weird minor seventh chord in it that is is slightly sunbury, slightly jazzy. It sounds like they've listened to a European kind of...
00:04:10
Ken Davies
opera and said yeah that'll do that bit of music will do uh that um and we've taken that as it's it's just it's not inspiring for me it's just a little bit too to Vivaldi four seasons for me for for a national anthem but you know I can understand why people love it I don't
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in in in the image of yeah in the National Anthem World Cup, where's it coming?
00:04:29
Ken Davies
oh round 32 it's not for me it's not even getting it could might not even go through the group stages
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mate, you're off the scale here. You're off the scale. I think that's one of the great World Cup, sorry, not the World Cup, the great national anthems of our times.
00:04:45
Ken Davies
Do you?
00:04:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's great. When I hear that being played at World Cup, it makes me,
00:04:48
Ken Davies
Could you sing it back now? and edit edit edited I couldn't sing it back now.
00:04:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it's a bit bad.
00:04:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope so, anyway. I mean, that really, that that is not getting out of group stages. That's the Ken Davies. na That ain't getting out of work. That's not getting out of group stages.
00:05:05
Ken Davies
ah That's as good as the Brazil one. Anyway, I'm sorry.
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:09
Ken Davies
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
00:05:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, we askvan I should say at this stage that you're listening to Road to the World Cup podcast 26, just in case
00:05:10
Ken Davies
on that
Current Concerns: Upcoming World Cup Challenges
00:05:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
you'd wondered what on earth you'd stumbled into.
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah My name's Nick Britton. I'm your host as always. I'm joined by my esteemed college the colleague, the man who thinks he's the cleverest person on the planet. That is, of course, the Beaver, better known as a ken Davis. Have you had a good week, Ken?
00:05:28
Ken Davies
I have had a good week because I was poorly a couple of weeks ago. to This week has been ah a road to recovery, really. roadde Rolled the stone away. ah Attained kind of living status again, having been really been on the borderline.
00:05:44
Ken Davies
But now I'm fine. And um I feel energized. I feel energetic. I feel enthusiastic. And I can't wait to get stuck into Brazil.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Excellent. Well, in that case, before we do, though, before we do, let's have a little bit of your World Cup news for this week.
00:05:58
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:06:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good shuffling of papers, Mr Daly's.
00:06:10
Ken Davies
Thank you. Thank you.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not too much going on in the World Cup news file for this week, but a lot of the mainstream media this week has been reporting what we reported last week, Kenny. So we broke exclusive news last week.
00:06:23
Ken Davies
Absolutely broken.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was really exclusive news, but we're the first to it.
00:06:25
Ken Davies
Broken to the world.
00:06:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is the threat of heat ruining next year's World Cup. Of course, and we discussed this on last week's podcast, the heat that's going on at the Club World Cup at a moment, Everybody's unhappy about it. Players, supporters, managers, they're all unhappy about it. And there are concerns are gathering there and a gathering pace about the risk of player safety.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And whisper this very quietly, whether or not the competition should be moved to the winter as they did with Qatar. Now, realistically, it can't be. It's too late. It's too late in the day.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tickets are on sale. Venues booked. Everything's booked. Travel arrangements being made, et cetera, et cetera, cetera. But it is becoming a real issue.
00:07:06
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think?
00:07:06
Ken Davies
and well Well, I think it is a real issue. They won't be able do anything about it because if they move it to winter, they'll be moving it straight into the NFL season. A lot of the stages will be used during the nfl steve season.
00:07:17
Ken Davies
So they won't be able to do that. It's far too late anyway. ah We're just going to have to manage it. We're just going to have to mitigate it. There's going to have to be, ah I think it'll be a different kind of World Cup because of the circumstances so of conditions.
00:07:31
Ken Davies
ah They may have to ah they ah just have have very regular breaks throughout, but I think teams are going to to think about um changing their squads, lots of flexibility within the squads just to take account of the fatigue.
00:07:45
Ken Davies
The things that really worries me is that when we get into the knockout stages, you end you always end up with extra time and penalties, and you can often have that in consecutive games. I think that's really, really going to take its toll then because it will be even warmer the later in.
00:08:01
Ken Davies
the competition So, yeah, watch this space. But, you know, we saw we all saw it coming. We all saw it coming. Maybe they should have done something about it long before.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's odd, isn't it? It's odd. And it's not just that. I mean, look, the England, do you see England, by the way, did you see England under 21s through to the final of the European under 21 championships?
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you see them play the other day?
00:08:24
Ken Davies
Yeah, I didn't see them.
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah they were really, really good in their, well, both the quarterfinals and the semifinals. But yeah, it's it's really impressive. But my point is that they are playing, those Euros 25, as they are now, championships, are being played in Slovakia.
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was 33 degrees there when they played the other day. So it's all over the place. It's all over.
00:08:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe maybe the World Cup in the future will just be played in winter forever.
00:08:48
Ken Davies
Well, it's global warming, mate.
00:08:51
Ken Davies
global warming. We're going to have to get used to this.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:54
Ken Davies
it's going to be this is going to be the norm.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well... There we are. But it's not only the sun, it's not only the heat that is causing a little bit of controversy. And we'll be looking ahead to next year's World Cup causing similar controversy. The pitches as well.
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nobody's happy with the pitches, are they?
00:09:06
Ken Davies
Yeah. Not happy. Bellingham's not happy. um Martinez, the Argentinian goalkeeper not happy. ah Obviously there's pitches being used in the world club competition at the moment and also in Copa America.
00:09:21
Ken Davies
Probably related to the same thing, you know, you know, pitches don't survive well in in arid conditions. And I think if you if the pitches are going to be problematic and you combine that with the issues you're going to have in terms of ah temperature and things,
00:09:39
Ken Davies
I mean, that's pointing towards quite a disappointing World Cup for me because, you know, I like World Cups where you see free-flowing football, you see fast exchanges, you see end-to-end. None of these things, ah these conditions and the pitches are ah pointing towards that kind of competition, I'm afraid.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they're not. they They're pointed towards Sunday League kind of level, aren't they? Everybody's knackered after 10 minutes and when the ball bounces, it hits your knee, not your foot.
00:10:00
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. And everyone stops for a cigarette half-time. Or an orange.
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's you. Or an orange, yeah.
00:10:08
Ken Davies
Maybe that's what we should be doing.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or a cigarette or a beer, whatever.
00:10:14
Ken Davies
Do you remember the days, talking about world old World Cups, as we were, you remember the days when when ah trainers used to and managers used to smoke on the sidelines during in the games? The Argentinian manager was the famous for it.
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:26
Ken Davies
He used to chain smoke all game. I mean, terrible message to put out, but funny at the same time.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and Well, those are the days I played, players played and then went to the pub afterwards, had a few beers and a couple of fags, had Sunday off they were back on it.
Cultural Traditions: Football's Past Habits
00:10:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
back on it on Monday morning and that's the way of the world.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the way of world.
00:10:44
Ken Davies
Happy days.
00:10:45
Ken Davies
Happy days.
00:10:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Happy days. Happy days. Why can't we go back to that? That's what I want to know. Right. Let's have a look at the history of Brazil World Cup with our resident historian, Mr.
00:10:58
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Beaver. Over you, Ken.
00:11:02
Ken Davies
That'll be me. That'll be me. Before we get into that, by the way, as we know in football, it pays to get your team selection right. And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we did just that because we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery partner.
00:11:16
Ken Davies
And we chose Zencastr because Zencastr makes it easy to bring your vision to life, share it with your audience, wherever they may be. So 4K video recording, easy AI editing tools, top-tier distribution tools, all in one place.
00:11:30
Ken Davies
If you've got a story to tell... Tell it with Zencastr. Go and check the show notes right now and you'll find out more details. So that's Zencastr, our friends there. So Brazil.
00:11:41
Ken Davies
They are, of course, as we said at the outset, the icons of the World Cup. Winners five times, 1958, 1962, 1970, and and 2002. And that kind of gives you a little bit of a flavour of what's going on with Brazilian football, which we're about to elucidate on.
00:12:00
Ken Davies
So in that time in the World Cup, by the way, they've played 114 They've of them. They've drawn 19 and lost 19. They are the only national team to have played in every World Cup edition
Brazil's Football Heritage: Key Players and Matches
00:12:14
Ken Davies
without even needing any kind of playoffs.
00:12:17
Ken Davies
Automatic entry every single World Cup. No one else can touch that. And they're the only team to have won in four different continents. So they won in Europe in 1958 in Sweden. They won in 1962 in South America and Chile.
00:12:33
Ken Davies
They won in 19... a
00:12:37
Ken Davies
No, they won twice in North America. It's 1970 in Mexico, 94 in USA. And they won in Asia when they had the one in 2002 in South Korea and Japan. So, you know, they are the kings of the World Cup. 1970, we touched about 1970, probably considered the greatest World Cup team of all time.
00:12:57
Ken Davies
Not in the sense if they'd win it today, if they play with the same players, because most of them dead and the rest are 80. But in terms of how far ahead they were of the competition. The Brazilian team of 1970 was so far ahead of everyone else. It was like they were aliens.
00:13:15
Ken Davies
it was It was absolutely magnificent. By the way, two interesting points that I discovered, which I'm going to ah test you on as well. um It all started...
00:13:26
Ken Davies
in Brazil it all started the first recognized game in Brazil was between a Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo side combined against an English team who were the English team
00:13:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
What year was it?
00:13:46
Ken Davies
team 1914 yeah nearly quarter past seven
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
montforeen 1914. he made that You made that joke last week.
00:13:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wasn't funny then. It just stays the same time.
00:13:56
Ken Davies
It never gets old, never gets old.
00:14:01
Ken Davies
1914, finished 3-3.
00:14:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:14:03
Ken Davies
Who was the English team that played
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, who the big teams in 1914? It'll be Blackpool or Preston or something like that, won't it? One of the big teams of the early in the
00:14:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was an English team then.
00:14:13
Ken Davies
them? It was an English team.
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. I'm going to Preston North End.
00:14:20
Ken Davies
A good guess, Exeter City, randomly.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ex City.
00:14:23
Ken Davies
Exeter City turned up in Brazil and said, anyone fancy a game?
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is London.
00:14:26
Ken Davies
And they got a combined Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo team to play them. Finished The rest is history. Exeter City obviously went on.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Brazil went one way. Yeah.
00:14:37
Ken Davies
Yeah, Exeter City went on to just nothing.
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exeter City went the other way. said that Is that exorcism's best result ever?
00:14:42
Ken Davies
So...
00:14:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that the best result in the history of exorcism?
00:14:44
Ken Davies
Probably was. Probably was. 3-3 away in Brazil.
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not bad.
00:14:48
Ken Davies
So so brazilian thes Brazilian football can really be divided into into eras. So there's the first golden era, which was 1958 to 1970. ah when they won three out of four World Cups.
00:15:02
Ken Davies
Then they go through this really dry spell from 1970, essentially, to 1994, 24 years of doing really nothing. 74 team was rubbish, 78 team was rubbish, though beat Scotland, but that doesn't matter.
00:15:16
Ken Davies
And then you enter the second golden era from 94 to 2002 when they won two World Cups in that period. That was probably your era you remember. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, those kind of players.
00:15:30
Ken Davies
The team I remember in the 70s is Pele and Grincia and Giazino and Carlos Alberto and Tostoum, people like that. so And now we enter from 26 to date another dry spell.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:15:45
Ken Davies
So you have this intense period of success success, dry spell, intense period of success, dry spell. Are we about to enter, after another 20-odd years, another period of success?
00:15:59
Ken Davies
Now, second question for you. We mentioned Pele a few times. What was Pele's actual name?
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I should know this. I've got a picture.
00:16:11
Ken Davies
Yeah, you should.
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've done worry
00:16:13
Ken Davies
You've got a picture of yourself with Pele.
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:16:15
Ken Davies
You've met Pele.
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got a picture of me and Paley. I met him. I met him because I tried to get him a podcast.
00:16:18
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and know I met him a few years ago. and is Yeah, very nice. Very nice chap. I can't think. It's something, something de naciento or something like that.
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's close. Yeah, go um go on.
00:16:34
Ken Davies
It's close.
00:16:36
Ken Davies
It's close.
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I should know this, but go on.
00:16:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tell me.
00:16:38
Ken Davies
And I remember this in the 70s.
00:16:39
Ken Davies
I remember this was kind of thing you knew at school. Edson Arantes Dona Cimento.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
we wrote yeah Yeah, exactly exactly exactly that.
00:16:46
Ken Davies
Edson Arantes Dona Cimento, otherwise known as Pele. I mean, it was a bit of a mouthful.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got the second half that right, then.
00:16:52
Ken Davies
Yeah, I think you get half a point for that.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got a second half. I've got the NASA mentality.
00:16:54
Ken Davies
You don't get nothing for Joe, but you do get something something close to Nascimento.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair
00:16:58
Ken Davies
so So the form is not great.
00:16:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
enough.
00:17:02
Ken Davies
ah So last 14 games, they won six, drawn six, lost two in the combo mall. ah World Cup qualifications, won seven out the 16, drawn four, lost five. They lost home and a away to Argentina. They lost to Uruguay ah away. it lost to Paraguay away. They lost to Colombia away.
00:17:21
Ken Davies
But they have qualified, and they qualified behind Argentina, obviously, who we know, and Ecuador. Now, Ecuador's interesting. We'll talk about Ecuador in their own time. But one of the things i noticed when I was doing some, because we do actually do some prep for these podcasts now,
00:17:36
Ken Davies
um In the 16 game, for tons of it, it's like mastermind, like university degree in Brazil, we've got a Brazilian football.
00:17:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
how but yeah Hours of research for this one.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
The problem I had, which is the same problems everybody has when they start researching a team like Brazil, you just end up watching loads of videos from the sort 50s and 60s and 70s, which aren't particularly relevant to the podcast, but which are great fun and hugely entertaining, but also very, very time consuming.
00:17:56
Ken Davies
is great, isn't it? Great.
00:17:59
Ken Davies
Oh.
00:18:02
Ken Davies
Yeah, but a nice way to spend your time. Ecuador, by the way, qualified in second place. They played 16 games. How many goals did they concede in 16 games, Ecuador?
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
What is this? I start out, the whole point of this podcast is to have a little bit in the middle, saying called Kenny's Quiz, where I quiz about various random stuff. ah Suddenly this podcast is turning into you firing questions at me.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's not the whole point, right.
00:18:26
Ken Davies
Yeah, I'd just like to keep you on your chairs, mate.
00:18:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah How many goals they concede? Anybody at home can tell me this. If you text me immediately, because I don't know the answer. ah So I'm going to go with two.
00:18:37
Ken Davies
five But I mean, Ecuador conceded five goals in 16 games.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's terrible. You can see it too. How do they how did they let the other three?
00:18:41
Ken Davies
Ecuador conceded five goals in 16 games.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rubbish. Rubbish to finish.
00:18:46
Ken Davies
Actually, there's a point to that question because um Brazil conceded many, many, many more than that. And that's actually...
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, how many? How many more? i um why
00:18:56
Ken Davies
I think they conceded 17 goals in 16 games. So that's a point. We'll come to that point later on. So their form's not been brilliant, but of course... Dorival Jr. got the push after the 4-1 defeat to Argentina.
00:19:09
Ken Davies
It's a different world now. And in the last two games, the Ancelotti's had two games, they conceded precisely zero. And when we come to the formation, you'll see why, because he's changed the formation.
00:19:22
Ken Davies
On the rankings, finally, and then I'm going to shut up for a couple of minutes. Rankings, ranked fifth.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:19:28
Ken Davies
Ranked fifth. From February 1994 to 2007, they were ranked first. a longest The longest consecutive run of being first. ah Then they had a bit of a calamitous decline.
00:19:39
Ken Davies
By 2013, they were ranked 22nd in the world. Brazil. I didn't know that.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
00:19:45
Ken Davies
22nd.
00:19:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You would always think they're never out the top five, wouldn't
00:19:48
Ken Davies
Always take the top five.
00:19:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'd always think.
00:19:49
Ken Davies
They were 22nd in June 2013.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. Wow.
00:19:53
Ken Davies
But by April 2017, they were first again. But they've now settled in the course of the last few years into a pretty consistent fifth.
Spotlight on Players: Alisson Becker and More
00:20:03
Ken Davies
So they're currently ranked fifth.
00:20:05
Ken Davies
That is your five-minute total synopsis on history, form, and ranking of Brazil.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm glad you got ranking out because that could have ended very messily.
00:20:18
Ken Davies
Ranking. Ranking.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's very good. I thought of particular... Thank you for that, Kevin, by thought of particular interest in that was this ebb and flow, this this idea of peaks and troughs.
00:20:24
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because as we're going to come on later on, i believe I believe Brazil are on the verge of a golden period of their of their time where they're going to win major trophies.
00:20:39
Ken Davies
Brazil are massively cyclical.
00:20:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, they go around on obstacles.
00:20:43
Ken Davies
They are.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe that's the problem.
00:20:45
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
They want to run around a pitch instead of cycling around, and they could probably do all right.
00:20:48
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
interest Interesting times.
00:20:50
Ken Davies
But they are a hugely cyclical team, and it's an interesting interesting interesting interesting thing to watch.
00:20:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. i think I think he meant cyclical, but don't tell him that. Right, okay. Let's get on with some players. I'm going to pick out five. It's cyclical. It's cyclical. It's not cyclical.
00:21:04
Ken Davies
Is cyclical and cyclical not the same thing?
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they mean the same thing, but they're pronounced differently.
00:21:09
Ken Davies
Behave yourself.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's cyclical.
00:21:10
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:21:11
Ken Davies
You're seeing a very cyclical team.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look. Thank you very much. i know I now know what you mean.
00:21:17
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:21:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's have a look at five key players for the World Cup and then one possibly key player. And we all know who that's going to be because that's going to be Neymar. We can't talk about players without talking about Neymar.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... We don't yet know what effect he's going to have, if any, on the World Cup year. So we're going to come to him a little bit, but five players who can guarantee are going to be there, form and injury, but of course, pending, is our starter back, as I always do. I always like to look at team's goalkeepers. So let's have a look at the Brazil goalkeeper.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is, of course, Alisson. Great goalkeeper. 2018 was the year of the Alisson.
00:21:47
Ken Davies
Great, Chico.
00:21:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's when he moved to Liverpool, where he has since established himself as one of the best keepers in the world. It's also the same year that he really made his mark on the Brazil national team, and he's been pretty much an ever-present since.
00:21:57
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
00:22:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So 2018 to 2025, he has been absolutely on top of his game. He has got the lot. He's six foot four. He's massive. If you see anybody watches Liverpool,
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
when players are on a one-on-one with Alisson, you can see them. There was a phrase that i was about to use, but the second word of of which would be themselves. And you can see them. you were They're a bit nervous, but like that, because this enormous guy with covered in tattoos is like standing there like a bear in front of them.
00:22:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's very difficult to get the ball around him. He's great with his hands. He's great with a ball at his feet. His distribution is absolutely fantastic.
00:22:39
Ken Davies
Yeah, fantastic distribution. So confident on the ball, isn't he?
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's 32 years old.
00:22:44
Ken Davies
He's like he's like a defender.
00:22:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and he took, he took i mean, we all remember em Manuel Neuer. He was the first of this kind of generation of sweeper keepers.
00:22:51
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:22:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He brought in the whole idea. of goalkeepers playing with their feet, which has kind of been involved in the Premier League by Guardiola particularly. And now goalkeepers are expected to be good with their feet, which is a problem for you and I, Ken, because when we go and watch Championship football next year and Derby and Wrexham, we don't want to see goalkeepers playing out from the back at all.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
We want to see them hoofing it as far as they can up the pitch because that's the only way they won't concede.
00:23:13
Ken Davies
No.
00:23:15
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:23:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, he's played two
00:23:18
Ken Davies
Most of them are good with their hands, never mind their feet.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, this is true. He's played 229 games for Liverpool, during which, and this is what I particularly like, he scored one goal. He scored one goal. And it came on the 16th of May in 2021.
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was West Brom 1, Liverpool 1 in the Premier League. We're in the 95th minute. And at that stage of the the season, of course, we've only got a couple of games left the season, and Liverpool were were vying to get into the Champions League. They needed to finish in that top four.
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Injury time corner, Trent Alexander-Arnold swings the ball over. And Alisson is standing about six or seven yards out in line parallel with the near post from where ball's coming to, if you can imagine that.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he gets his head on the ball. But he not only gets head on the ball, but he powers a header using you know using his neck muscles the way a a seasoned striker would and powers the ball into the opposite corner. It was like a proper striker's header. 2-1, Liverpool win the game and they end up finishing third.
00:24:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cue mass celebration. Great goal. It was a great goal. Anyway, he was the first goalkeeper to score a headed goal in the Premier League.
00:24:22
Ken Davies
Great, great pizza.
00:24:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he was the first goalkeeper to ever score a winning goal in a Premier League.
00:24:31
Ken Davies
Come on, we.
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, I've got a little... Everybody listening today, this isn't Kenny's quiz, it's a general question. I'll give you the answer later on. As I said, he was the sixth goalkeeper to score in the Premier League. Can you name the other five?
00:24:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got a little bit of time, and we'll come back to you bit later on.
00:24:43
Ken Davies
I'm
00:24:46
Ken Davies
glad that's not Kenny's quiz.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Next. mutter so If I gave you Kenny's quiz of name me a country that begins with B and sounds like Brazil, you'd struggle.
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's get on with the second player, and that is Marquinhos, the Brazilian captain and legend, 99 caps, won't be long before he gets his 100.
00:24:58
Ken Davies
The mute.
00:25:02
Ken Davies
Yes.
00:25:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is a centre-half extraordinaire. 312 games for PSG, where he's won the absolute lot lot domestically. Recently, of course, winning the Champions League as well.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nine league titles in 12 years. He's won the French Super Cup eight times, the French Cup six times, the League Cup six times. Yeah, it goes on and on and on. Of course, the big one was Champions League, which he won, what, about a month or so ago, when PSG absolutely trounced.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Trounced, demolished, destroyed in some of the things.
00:25:33
Ken Davies
They were impressive. They were i impressive that night.
00:25:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Oh, they were superb. and and And that win there completed a historic continental travel. They'd already won League One. They'd already won the Coupe de France. And they won the Champions League. So he's right top of his game.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really right on top of his game. He's quick. He's anticipation. He is, as you would fully expect any Brazilian player to be, fantastic on the ball. He can turn defence into attack very, very quickly.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is the complete package. He is a Rolls-Royce of a footballer. So here's my second pick.
00:26:06
Ken Davies
hu
00:26:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Third, we go on to one of my favourite players of the last year in the Premier League particularly, and that's Bruno. ah Bruno. Gimaraes, who plays Newcastle United.
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
A darling of Tyneside, the absolute darling of Tyneside. They love him up there. And he's grown so much, not physically, because he's not tallest. He's not like...
00:26:26
Ken Davies
Isle of Fada.
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's grown as a leader on a pitch. He was handed the yeah captain's armband at Newcastle. And over the last couple of years playing in the Premier League, he's become such a different and such a good player to the point now that he's able to play in a two-man midfield for Brazil.
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
alongside Casemiro, can barely move. So, you know, you're then playing in a one-back midfield, essentially.
00:26:45
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
He gets around...
00:26:48
Ken Davies
I wonder if Casemiro will last till the World Cup. I know you he's probably not on your list of top fives, but he's's he's had a poor season, hasn't he, Casemiro?
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not on He's on a full season at Man U, but he still does it for Brazil, actually. But no, not a not unless not unless Carlo changes the midfield.
00:27:01
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He needs more help around him. you can't go up You can't go up against the best teams in the world with, essentially, Bruno.
00:27:06
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he gets around to pitch really well. he's He's good at making those late man runs into the box. Equally, he's very happy digging in and playing that DM role as well and defending. So he's got that kind of... He's ah he's a kind of complete midfielder.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is a little bit... He can get little bit aggy, if you know what I mean. He can wind him up a little bit easily. He can get a bit angry.
00:27:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think one of the learning points for him is if he can keep himself cool, then that doesn't affect his game. We've seen him this season...
00:27:30
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:27:36
Ken Davies
But you like a bit of that. You like a bit of, you like a bit of,
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I like a bit of it, but not when it can have periods of the game where he just goes off the boil and goes in the hump. And ah that's no good.
00:27:45
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's no good for Newcastle. certainly won't be any good ah for for Brazil. Newcastle, of course, everybody knows, ended their 7th million-year wait for a trophy this year. They won the League Cup. And Dan Byrne said the other day, when he was being interviewed, his teammate Dan Byrne, who plays in defence in Newcastle, said that his pre-match speech to the players properly got them pumped up. And he said he spoke before, this is Dan Byrne now, he spoke beforehand about going on a pitch as players and leaving as legends.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he said that had such an And I like I like that. He had such an effect on the players. that that's exactly what they did. And it worked because Newcastle won. And to be honest, mate, that reminds me of you in these podcasts. You start these podcasts as ah as a broadcaster.
00:28:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
You leave as a legend.
00:28:28
Ken Davies
Me? done
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a player.
00:28:30
Ken Davies
Thanks very much. Thanks very much. That's what I tried that's what i tell myself before every podcast.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I didn't know. like to think so. ah Great player, great bloke, and sure to start a World Cup next year. ah Number four of my players to watch out for Brazil is, of course, Vinicius Junior.
00:28:44
Ken Davies
yeah
00:28:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Quick... Skillful, unpredictable, brilliant with a ball at his feet. He's got an eye for goal. He can play anywhere, really, across the front three, but plays on the left. Is he the real star of Madrid? Everybody goes up goes on about Mbappe.
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But is Vinicius Jr. the real star of Madrid?
00:29:00
Ken Davies
This is an interesting point, this, Venetius Jr., because um was looking, i was digging into the... Because obviously he's a key player for Brazil. He's not a goal scorer, though.
00:29:13
Ken Davies
This is one things that worries me. In the sense, he's got... For Real Madrid, who dominate games generally, 61 in hundred and six games, one goal per 3.4 games. Brazil, one...
00:29:24
Ken Davies
but brazil one goal every 5.9 games. My problem with Vinicius Jr., he is extraordinarily skillful and he's definitely useful in terms of assists, but he doesn't convert enough.
00:29:37
Ken Davies
I think that's part of Brazil's issues and that's been part of Brazil's issues in the past. They don't really have an out-and-out goal scorer unless we're talking Neymar and I don't think we're going to be talking Neymar.
00:29:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
no No, well, we are talking Neymar in just a moment, but but not in the extent of he's going to be Brazil's top goalscorer. Yeah, that's a fair point. That's a fair point. Well, he's got a season to get his shooting boots on and an improve, guess.
00:30:01
Ken Davies
He's going to have to.
00:30:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think he's brilliant.
00:30:04
Ken Davies
Maybe Ancelotti can really unlock something within him.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's... Well, he was manager of Real Madrid and didn't he?
00:30:09
Ken Davies
Yeah, exactly. he's out yeah so He obviously believes him.
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was voted the best FIFA men's player in 2024. So he must have something about it. I think you're doing him a disservice.
00:30:19
Ken Davies
He's a great player, but I don't think he's a great player, if you get if you get my drift, my difference between the word great and the word great.
00:30:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's only 24. Yeah, I hear you. ah hey I hear you. i' In the modern game, who's a better player? i'm I'm not suggesting is, but it's an interesting point you make.
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who would you put as a great, great, great player in the modern era?
00:30:42
Ken Davies
Mbappe, probably, I'd put ahead of him. ah
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:30:49
Ken Davies
Paul Mullin.
00:30:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe. I've just got bit of a theory. i've got I mean, look, to be fair, Mbappe, when he pulls on France shirt, is unbelievable. And he's often played better for France than he's ever played domestically.
00:30:56
Ken Davies
Yeah, yeah, that's a nice
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Certainly when he's at PSG. He's slightly different now he's at Real. I don't know. I just think, I think, Manny Junior is the kind of power behind the throne.
00:31:04
Ken Davies
trip. Salah. You put Salah ahead of him, you?
00:31:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, put Salah ahead of him. in terms Well, in terms goal scoring, he put Salah ahead of anybody, quite frankly, in the in the world.
00:31:12
Ken Davies
They are entirely
00:31:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but they're very different. They're very, very different, aren't they?
00:31:17
Ken Davies
different places. Yeah, they're entirely different. Yeah,
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kane hangs around a six-yard box and scores goals. and and And he does goals.
00:31:21
Ken Davies
they do.
00:31:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And England would be absolutely lost without him. and i know I know we disagree on this because you don't rate Harry Kane, but I think England still rely on him so heavily. Vinny Jr., you can't even compare. He's totally different player.
00:31:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, he has got a bit a short fuse.
00:31:33
Ken Davies
He is. But there's a lot resting on Vinny's shoulders in this World Cup, I think. And he's really if if he if he has a fantastic World Cup, I think Brazil will. If he doesn't, i think they're going to struggle.
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, was fair. Yeah, yeah. I think that's fair. I think that's fair. He's got to get this indiscipline out of his game. He gets booked a lot for defence. Sorry, for defence. yeah so Why would you get booked for defending?
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He gets booked a lot for dissent, is what i meant to say. And he gets involved with other players and it's all a bit unnecessary. He's been told, by the way, by several managers and players to calm down and improve his discipline if he wants to reach the potential that you're talking about, where he is ah the great of the greats. But...
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
His reputation off the pitch is is is huge. He's become a real figurehead for the game's fight against racism. He's been the victim of some horrendous racism, horrendous racism, including when, by the way, if you you might have seen this in the news, when Atletico Madrid supporters hung an effigy off him off a bridge.
00:32:22
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
They were convicted very recently for that. And that's horrendous. But as a result of of that element of racism, he was asked by FIFA to kind of head up a ah group and the profile, his profile, and that profile of fight against racism has really, really risen. And that's a lockdown due to him.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does a lot of work for for um disadvantaged teenagers and neighborhoods in Brazil. He's got that. He's got that. I like that. I like all that element.
00:32:51
Ken Davies
You've got to love him for all that. You've got to love him for the stuff he does outside the game. I want him to have a great World Cup.
00:32:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:57
Ken Davies
I just think he's going to... One of the things I noticed that obviously Xavi Alonso has taken over at Real now. And yeah he points he pointed Vinicius out. He said he doesn't do his defensive duties.
00:33:11
Ken Davies
And because Xavier Alonso is about, you know, full team press and and everybody's got a role to play in defence, 11 players defending. And he said things going to have to change through these with Vinicius.
00:33:23
Ken Davies
And so that's going to be interesting in terms of what happens with Xavier Alonso at Real because he's clearly marked his card very early. ah I think Antio Lachey probably gives him more reign than that.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fascinating.
00:33:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fascinating because, but if he can add that to his game, he's going to that will help take him to another level, won't it?
00:33:41
Ken Davies
Yeah, it will.
00:33:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because got everything in his box.
00:33:42
Ken Davies
It will.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he needs to then learn how to press as a team, defend as a team, et cetera, that's going to really add to his game.
00:33:50
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's interesting. a bit But but the the flip side of that is I guess if he doesn't do it, he won't be playing. And ain't playing for...
00:33:55
Ken Davies
I think Ancelotti gives him more slack than that.
00:33:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:33:59
Ken Davies
I mean, he played with it that's that's the way he played under Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
00:34:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
but if he's not...
00:34:03
Ken Davies
His focus was on attack rather than defence, and Ancelotti kind of allowed that. Alonso is not allowed.
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I get that. No, what I'm saying is if he's not playing for Madrid because he's not doing what the manager wants, what effect does that have on his international career?
00:34:12
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:34:16
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's very interesting to be interesting to watch.
00:34:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He'll probably still get picked. But, yeah. Interesting. So we'll see. Interesting. interesting We'll see. Right. I'm going to talk about Neymar in just a moment. But before I do that, I've got a wild card entry for you, Kenny. I've got wild card entry for you for my five players to watch out for Brazil. Because here, this I'm going to talk for a moment about Igor Jesus, who is the breakthrough star of the Club World Cup, plays for Botafogo. And he's had a brilliant Club World Cup.
00:34:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He recently broke into the Brazil national team and he is definitely one to watch for next year. Definitely one to watch next year.
00:34:51
Ken Davies
Right. for what What position did he play?
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Describe...
00:34:53
Ken Davies
I'm not familiar with him at all.
00:34:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, he's a striker. So he's he's described as the Didier Drogba of modern times by the South American journalist, Tim Vickery. I love Tim Vickery. ah don't know if you know Tim Vickery.
00:35:03
Ken Davies
yay Yeah, yeah.
00:35:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's absolutely brilliant.
00:35:04
Ken Davies
Yeah, I yeah.
00:35:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love listening to him. And his knowledge on South American football is unbelievable. And yeah, this guy, these's a young he's a young guy and he's joined...
00:35:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
As I say, he joined Botafogo in July 2024, so only this time last year, from Shabab al-Ali. And he's enjoy he's enjoyed an absolutely meteoric rise to fame. He's physically in in in imposing. His nickname in Brazil is the Little Frog.
00:35:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, i don't know why. Can you think why he might be called the Little Frog?
00:35:36
Ken Davies
Uh, uh, is green. I have no idea.
00:35:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct. He's green and he jumps around a lot. and He's got a really massive long tongue.
00:35:45
Ken Davies
No idea why he's called little frog.
00:35:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got massive on time.
00:35:46
Ken Davies
No. His eyes, he's got massive eyes on the side of his head.
00:35:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is... which like Yeah. I don't know. But if he could... if he could if I don't either.
00:35:52
Ken Davies
He lives in a tree. He lives in a tree. I have no idea.
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I can imagine, like, if a ball's played over the top and you're and you're and you're competing with a defender to get to it, yeah, you can jump in front of the defender, stick your tongue out massively, control the ball with your tongue, bring it into your feet and bury it in the back of the net.
00:36:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a goal that would be.
00:36:12
Ken Davies
That's ridiculous.
00:36:13
Ken Davies
that would be That would be a first. It would. But I think it's unlikely. you know that and and And there's no rules, I don't think, about controlling the ball with your tongue.
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll see.
00:36:22
Ken Davies
But i yeah i think it's I think it's a long shot.
00:36:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
You never know. Anyway, helped Botafogo clinch the league and Copa Libertadores double last season. And now, drumroll, please.
00:36:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
case angry Matt is listening, he's signed for Nottingham Forest.
00:36:41
Ken Davies
Go over
00:36:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's just signed for Nottingham Forest for a reported $23 million dollar or million.
00:36:46
Ken Davies
there. Who has? This guy, the frog guy.
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the little frog. Little frog.
00:36:51
Ken Davies
Has signed for Forrest.
00:36:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to see him in a... Yeah.
00:36:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
He signed for Forrest the week before the World Cup kicked off.
00:36:54
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:36:56
Ken Davies
That sounds like a great Yeah.
00:36:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So...
00:36:57
Ken Davies
Yeah. great signing
00:36:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I would think if he signed for them now, 17 million would become about 30 million because he's had great Club World Cup.
00:37:06
Ken Davies
yeah yeah
00:37:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's one of those... I remember going back in a day when Derby, in their pomp, when they were finishing fourth and fifth and sixth in the Premier League...
00:37:13
Ken Davies
Here we go. Here we go, folks.
00:37:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
signed player called Alyos Sanovic just before the Euros played for Konoros.
00:37:18
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah. Great player.
00:37:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was the same thing. He became a global star during the Euros. And we signed him just before that.
00:37:24
Ken Davies
Yeah, he was great player.
00:37:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there's no possible way we would have been able to sign him after.
00:37:28
Ken Davies
No, no, that's true.
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we wouldn't have been able to sign him.
00:37:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it was under Jim Smith's team, if you remember that. What a team that was.
00:37:30
Ken Davies
He was a player as well.
00:37:33
Ken Davies
Yeah, they were in the championship, Division at the time.
00:37:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so, yeah, he's 24 years old. As I say, he's had a great club World Cup. He's going to be playing the Premier League next year, so his profile's going to go through the roof. He's bursting onto the scene in an um in an almighty way.
00:37:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we talk a lot about the the established stars for Brazil. I think this kid is my wild card that we're
Strategic Analysis: Brazil's Formations and Tactics
00:37:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to see a lot more of. And by the time the World Cup kicks off next year, mate, you talked about Brazil not having a natural number nine.
00:38:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe he's the answer.
00:38:02
Ken Davies
Maybe they do. so
00:38:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe he's the answer.
00:38:05
Ken Davies
So what about Neymar then?
00:38:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So what about Neymar? Right, okay, fine. So Neymar is Brazilian's all-time top goalscorer. His numbers at PSG when he was playing there were absolutely ridiculous. He scored 118 goals and 79 assists, by way, in only 173 appearances.
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he's got more, if my math is right, he's got more goals and assists per than than appearances, if that makes sense.
00:38:21
Ken Davies
He
00:38:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So that is unbelievable. But in the last two years, his career has just taken a massive nosedive. And he made a really, i mean, did he make
00:38:41
Ken Davies
yeah had a bad injury at the end of 23-24 season, I think. And that's really knocked him back.
00:38:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, yes, he did. He did. And that has knocked him back. But he made the decision in 2023 when some might say he was not quite at the peak of his powers, but not far off to go to Saudi.
00:38:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we all know what happens when you go to Saudi. he just kind of disappear. And he played a few games there, played a few games before, excuse me, he got an ACL.
00:38:58
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:39:02
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:39:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that ACL injury kept him out for a long time.
00:39:09
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:39:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nothing happened. In January this year, he's back in Brazil. He signed for Santos where he played as a boy.
00:39:18
Ken Davies
and sorry
00:39:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's played a little bit football.
00:39:20
Ken Davies
Pele's old thing.
00:39:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then he got a hamstring injur injury.
00:39:22
Ken Davies
In fact, he wears the number 10.
00:39:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, wears Pelé's old shirt.
00:39:23
Ken Davies
He wears Pele's number 10, man.
00:39:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
was peles old yeah and And you just feel his career the last two years, just at a time where he needed to keep it going. If you think what, you know, Ronaldo and Messi in his early 30s, when he gets to 32, 33, they kept it all going, kept it all going, kept it all going. he's not He's not been able to.
00:39:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not been able to.
00:39:41
Ken Davies
know
00:39:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
say He hasn't been fit. And that decision to go to Saudi, you know, was it the right decision? It was the right decision to his bank balance, no doubt. Was it the right decision for ah his football? But he is no doubt...
00:39:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
the talismanic character for Brazil. Okay? 79 goals in 128 games for Brazil tells you all you need to know. But they've got to get used to the idea of playing without him.
00:40:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, they've played without him largely for the last sort of two years, and they haven't done well. They haven't done well.
00:40:10
Ken Davies
No, they haven't been out of school anything like this.
00:40:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they've given you... Well, this is it. So they've got but they've got to get used to doing that. I think they will because you've got a lot of youth coming through and we've spoken before about Brazil, their ability to blend youth, blend experience and all that. They've now got one of the greatest managers in the world who we'll come to in just a moment.
00:40:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what's going to happen? Is he going to get fit? Is he going to get fit? He's going to be 34 by the time the World Cup comes off. He's barely kicked a ball in the last two years. He's got one season to get himself up to any kind of level to make an impact.
00:40:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope that he will. I hope we will see Neymar in the World Cup. But I think we'll see him, if anything, as an impact sub and nothing more.
00:40:45
Ken Davies
Yeah, think you're right. And I think playing for Santos is not going to help. if I think if he was playing in the European stage, I think it would might raise his profile. You know we'd know, everyone would notice him more. I think, to to be fair to Santos, I think that's that's less likely. I think playing in the South American or the Brazilian domestic league. So, yeah, I think i think his days are gone.
00:41:04
Ken Davies
ah You're right, he might be there in the squad. He might be there for kind of sentimental reasons, but I don't think he's going to have a significant impact on the World Cup. They need to solve that.
00:41:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
The,
00:41:12
Ken Davies
ah then the The solution to that isn't going Neymar.
00:41:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
The one thing I'll probably add to that is that his value to Brazil, I think his value in the Brazil camp, is is massive off the pitch as much as it is on it. I think being just being around is talismanic. Just being around lifts everybody, lifts the players, lifts the supporters.
00:41:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
If the supporters can just see him on the bench, thatll you know that will just help. And I think he'll be a brilliant support to the young players coming through because they all idolise him. You look at the youngsters coming through into the Brazil set-up now, they're of an age where they all go, Neymar, Neymar, Neymar, he's my inspiration. i'm model myself for them.
00:41:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think,
00:41:44
Ken Davies
ah he was he he was He was an absolute... He was a great in his pomp. No question about that.
00:41:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, well, yeah, yes. He never quite got there. um My criticism was always kind of that parting lifestyle and that social media stuff, which I don't really like, but, and he never really reached, this is true.
00:42:01
Ken Davies
Doesn't stop you, doesn't it? Doesn't stop you.
00:42:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He never really reached his potential, but he
00:42:05
Ken Davies
That's why you never made it. That's why you never made it as a World Cup footballer. Too much partying.
00:42:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that it? All that party, all that party.
00:42:10
Ken Davies
Social media, lifestyle.
00:42:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're joking, aren't you? I wouldn't know where you're at. Well, I'm getting there I'm getting better at it. But yeah, I'm not so i'm not a social media animal, that's for sure. so So he'll be there. He'll be at the World Cup.
00:42:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think he's got a massive role to play, whether he's playing or not. Right, that's that's a quick rundown. well wasn't that quick, to fair. A rundown of some of Brazil's key players. Mate, over to you for a look at formations.
00:42:36
Ken Davies
Yeah, just quick one just before we do that. Global Sports Podcast Network partners with Bionique, the world's most personalized supplements, because your body is unique. Mine certainly was. It's a little less unique now.
00:42:47
Ken Davies
Because without knowing what deficiencies you have, taking off-the-shelf supplements mean... You might be not getting enough of what you need. You might be getting too much of what you don't need. So Bionique provides 100% tailor-made supplements designed to deliver precisely what you need.
00:43:02
Ken Davies
So click the link in the show notes. Use the code GSPN2025. Get your 40% discount off your first order. I'm going to whistle through formations because actually formations before we need to.
00:43:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you need some supplements. I think you need some supplements.
00:43:20
Ken Davies
I beg your pardon.
00:43:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're looking a bit... I think you need to rebuild yourself after your little illness.
00:43:25
Ken Davies
I am looking a little bit skinnier, aren't Do you know what think?
00:43:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You're great.
00:43:30
Ken Davies
Anyway, I'm like a racing snake.
00:43:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You look... You do. You look...
00:43:34
Ken Davies
No, I'm like a racing snake. No.
00:43:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
racing snake.
00:43:38
Ken Davies
Yeah. Thin, lithe, muscly.
00:43:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got a long time. You've got... you with a forked tongue.
00:43:44
Ken Davies
Anyway.
00:43:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's poison.
00:43:45
Ken Davies
Yeah, moving on. So formations, I'm only going to talk about shoot the last two games because there's no point talking about ah the Dorival formations. Ancelotti clearly has got a different plan.
00:43:58
Ken Davies
He completely, there's been two games, nil-nil against Ecuador. Most recently, they beat Paraguay to confirm their World Cup qualification. against Ecuador, finish 0-0. And this is key because two clean sheets after conceding four against Argentina completely changed the back four.
00:44:17
Ken Davies
Back four has stayed the same in the last two games. Vanderson, Marquinhos, who we spoke about earlier, Alexandro and, annoyingly, Alex Sandro.
00:44:31
Ken Davies
So there's Alexandro and Sandro, whose first name is Alex, so just to make life difficult.
00:44:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You
00:44:37
Ken Davies
So Vanderson, Marquinhos, Alexandro and Alex Sandro are back four. That was for the back four for both of those games. That looks like it's doing its job.
00:44:48
Ken Davies
Kept two clean sheets. Against Ecuador, it was a 4-3-3 with Gerson Casimiro, our friend, and Bruno Gamarej in the three in the midfield. And Vinicius Richarlison, we haven't mentioned Richarlison.
00:45:02
Ken Davies
He's probably a man in the, yeah let's say, the twilight years of his of his greatness. And Estadio front.
00:45:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's rubbish. ah Sorry, Richarlison's rubbish. He's a terrible player.
00:45:13
Ken Davies
Richarlison's rubbish. is ah Is that the official PSPN line on Richarlison?
00:45:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's terrible. I don't understand why Richarlison's still getting a game for Brazil. He can barely get a game for Tottenham, and they're terrible. And when he plays for Tottenham, he's terrible. I don't get it.
00:45:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unless they've literally got nobody else to get up there.
00:45:26
Ken Davies
Well, I think this is part of the problem.
00:45:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why is he playing for Brazil?
00:45:30
Ken Davies
I think they really do struggle up front. But the second game they played when they beat Paraguay, he went with a 4-2-3-1. Same back four, did a good job. Guimaneci Casemiro.
00:45:42
Ken Davies
Casemiro is another one who I not just just don't think has got what it takes anymore at so at the top level. ah The front three of Rapina, we haven't mentioned, great player ah ah for Leeds and now buy Barcelona. Cunha, who we haven't mentioned, recently got his move from Wolves to Man United, great player.
00:46:01
Ken Davies
And Martinelli, great player for Arsenal. So they've got a nice nice front three, if you like, in midfield, supporting Vinicius Junior. So... Yeah, I think the fact that Richarlison is still knocking around just tells you all you need to know about where the real problems are for Brazil, and that's up front scoring goals.
Engaging the Audience: Quiz and Trivia
00:46:21
Ken Davies
So...
00:46:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But you would think, sorry, sorry, but you would think with from with three players there, the likes of Martinelli and Rafinha and Cunha, there should be goals in that.
00:46:30
Ken Davies
And Cunha.
00:46:33
Ken Davies
There should be goals in that team.
00:46:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
There must be goals. I mean, Cunha's just moved to Man Utd for a shed load of money in order to score goals for them.
00:46:36
Ken Davies
There should be goals. Yeah.
00:46:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's his job.
00:46:40
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:46:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is a creative. so I know he's not an out-and-out number nine, but, you know, Rafinha's a great player. He's got goals in him.
00:46:47
Ken Davies
Profini is a great player.
00:46:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:46:49
Ken Davies
Martinelli is a great player. Honestly, what they need is ah is ah is ah is a number nine doing a great number nine's job and those those those three supporting that and running into the running into the box. But they don't have it.
00:47:00
Ken Davies
so So that's where we are. 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Seems to solidified things in the back four. But I think they've got problems up front. That's the take on the formation.
00:47:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which means Which means...
00:47:26
Ken Davies
don't know why I'm dancing to that because it always that noise now gives me PTSD.
00:47:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah We all know what that music means. It's everybody's favourite time of week. It is, of course, Kenny's quiz.
00:47:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's having a drink of something prepare himself. He's got his head in his hands as well.
00:47:38
Ken Davies
I'm making an easy one there.
00:47:41
Ken Davies
Yeah, it's liquid cocaine. but can make it make it Make an easy
00:47:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah This, this ah this i so i should I should hasten to say, GSPN does not endorse the taking of drugs, particularly not on the podcast.
00:47:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So, Kenny's quiz this week.
00:48:01
Ken Davies
Come on, hit me with it.
00:48:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've taken these questions from the... from the London School of English quiz of Brazil, which I came across whilst I was researching all of this.
00:48:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it had some really, really bizarre questions, which is all about Brazilian culture.
00:48:13
Ken Davies
Great.
00:48:16
Ken Davies
Great.
00:48:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
and do like In other words, if you're having a cup of tea with somebody in Brazil, you know, how do you drink your tea kind of questions. It's like really bizarre. I haven't gone down that road. You'll be glad to know.
00:48:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
i expect you, ah really, really expect you to get this first question right, mate. And as always, as always, play along at home.
00:48:29
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:48:33
Ken Davies
I've
00:48:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as always, if you're used to hearing Kenny's quiz, there's a regular theme of questions. And that theme is, of course, borders. So my first question is this, Brazil shares borders with all of the countries in South America, apart from two.
00:48:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are they?
00:48:52
Ken Davies
got from two.
00:48:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:48:54
Ken Davies
a
00:48:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brazil shares all countries in South America apart from two. What are they?
00:49:05
Ken Davies
I'm going to go Ecuador, Ecuador, because Ecuador is right on the north west coast.
00:49:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can we play a bit music bit thinking time here.
00:49:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because I'm playing it because you're just sitting there and silence thinking.
00:49:17
Ken Davies
Why have we got music again?
00:49:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the listeners might think we've finished the game.
00:49:22
Ken Davies
No, ah ecu Ecuador, Ecuador, Ecuador.
00:49:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah All right, all right. I've asked for two. There's two.
00:49:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't give me one.
00:49:27
Ken Davies
Ecuador, and I reckon...
00:49:33
Ken Davies
There must be one right at the north then. So I would imagine it would be something like
00:49:42
Ken Davies
Guatemala.
00:49:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
can you hear this? No, you can't hear that.
00:49:49
Ken Davies
No.
00:49:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the sound of clapping, Ken. That's the sound of clapping. There's a little theme. ah Not because you got it right, because you didn't, but just for giving it a go. So well done. Thanks for coming. Here's one of those medals you get a primary score these days just for turning up and trying.
00:50:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you get nothing for winning. Yeah, that's right. thats ah Your tiny little trophy. Put it back on the desk because you're not getting one this week. You were close, though. One out two is not bad. The two South American countries that border dozen Brazil...
00:50:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
that the border doesn't Brazil, that Brazil doesn't border, let's get that bit right, are Ecuador, so you got that one right, and Chile.
00:50:19
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah.
00:50:24
Ken Davies
Mexico? Chile.
00:50:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
chair Chile. Chile.
00:50:30
Ken Davies
Chile does border Brazil.
00:50:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, mate, take it up with the London School of English.
00:50:33
Ken Davies
Chile does border Brazil.
00:50:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't write me, write to the London School of English, right?
00:50:37
Ken Davies
Chile borders Brazil.
00:50:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to have to have look. Remember last week...
00:50:39
Ken Davies
I'm
00:50:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you remember week when you said Uzbekistan was the only double-landlocked country in the world and you were proven to be wrong?
00:50:45
Ken Davies
telling you, Chile borders Brazil.
00:50:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I told you. Well,
00:50:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
but well
00:50:49
Ken Davies
And I'm going to personally write to the London Economic Brazil Bureau and tell them they've got that wrong.
00:50:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good. They haven't got it wrong though, the London School of English may or may not of i'm going to have to have a look in a moment. Right, question two is, Brazil has the highest population, I'll give you multiple choice on this one. Brazil has the highest population in the world of which immigrant community?
00:51:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it Spanish? Is it Japanese? Or is it Italian? And whilst you think about that, I'm having a look at a map of Brazil. ah to see what countries it borders. Because i think I think I'm right and I think you're wrong, but I generally think about that in life. as it No, mate, are you off your head?
00:51:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got no idea of South American geography. It's so blatantly borders every single country. You've Ecuador off to the northwest, which borders Colombia and Peru, and right down the south, slivery southwest of the country, Chile, which borders Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru as well.
00:51:44
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:51:54
Ken Davies
Not right in the north.
00:51:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you're absolutely...
00:51:55
Ken Davies
Not right in the... doesn't it touch Brazil right in the north?
00:51:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eh?
00:52:00
Ken Davies
All right.
00:52:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're talking absolute garbage.
00:52:00
Ken Davies
Okay. Fair enough. I must be talking to you.
00:52:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, listen, it twice in two weeks you've tried to fight this and you've got it wrong.
00:52:07
Ken Davies
worth try um so second question then is this one about about the uh so i'm going to go japanese japanese
00:52:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just accept the fact that you set that line. Yeah.
00:52:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Immigrant community. Has the highest population in the world of which immigrant community? The answer is Japanese.
00:52:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Congratulations. What I want.
00:52:26
Ken Davies
yes get in there thank thank you
00:52:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did a little round of a round effect, but don't know what's happened to It's disappeared. ah Okay. Well done. And there's a bonus question here. There's a bonus question here from the London School of English.
00:52:38
Ken Davies
Oh, yeah.
00:52:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is what I meant about random questions about Brazilian culture.
00:52:42
Ken Davies
Oh.
00:52:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
You are having a long conversation with a colleague. And I hope, by the way, if you're listening Brazil, you're going to get this right. You're having a long conversation with a colleague. Which of these should you avoid? Should you avoid A, close proximity, B, not maintaining good eye contact, or C, physical contact?
00:53:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're having a long conversation with me.
00:53:03
Ken Davies
Uh, you should avoid, you should avoid,
00:53:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not
00:53:06
Ken Davies
ah
00:53:09
Ken Davies
I think they're quite touchy-feely people, so I think they'll be okay with physical contact. I think you should avoid...
00:53:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to able avoid
00:53:17
Ken Davies
What's the second one?
00:53:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So close proximity is number a is letter A. B, not maintaining good eye contact, and C, physical contact.
00:53:22
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:53:25
Ken Davies
I think not maintaining good eye contact is the thing you should avoid.
00:53:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I think...
00:53:31
Ken Davies
Because they like good eye contact.
00:53:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:53:34
Ken Davies
Everyone knows that about resiliency.
00:53:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think if you...
00:53:38
Ken Davies
especially the ones near the Chile border.
00:53:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well...
00:53:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think arthur If you went to Chile border, you'd have no you'd be nowhere near Brazil because it doesn't border it, as we've established. If you went to Brazil, Ken, you would be great at doing business because that's the right answer.
00:53:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the right answer.
00:53:57
Ken Davies
but I reckon I've got two and a half out three there.
00:53:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
no Well, that wasn't that wasn't really a question, but I'll give you a two and a half.
00:54:02
Ken Davies
Oh, right. It wasn't really question.
00:54:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Yeah, they they they like good ah good eye contact because it shows the other person you are listening and engaged. Brazilians tend to have conversations in close proximity to each other and often display physical contact.
00:54:17
Ken Davies
I tell you, I was getting first flight to Sao Paulo.
00:54:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there you go.
00:54:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you should. And make sure you look everybody in the eye. So
Ancelotti's Impact: Managerial Influence on Brazil
00:54:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
those those questions this week, courtesy of the London School of English, thank you very much for providing those.
00:54:25
Ken Davies
I will. Mm-hmm.
00:54:30
Ken Davies
a
00:54:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, we're nearly there. this ah This was always going to be a bit of a longer podcast, to be honest with with you, because Brazil is so worth talking about. ah Let's now get on to the manager, then we'll get on to predictions, and then we can all get on with our day.
00:54:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Not that much to say about the manager of Brazil because there is so much to say about him that everybody knows. Don Carlo. Don Carlo himself. Carlo Ancelotti. I gave him the big build-up, but I buggered up his name.
00:54:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's try that again. You know that bit about Zencast where he says he cuts out the stakes? Let's cut this out.
00:55:00
Ken Davies
Yeah, not them kind of mistakes.
00:55:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Manager for Brazil. Don Carlo. Don Carlo. The Don himself. Carlo Ancelotti. There.
00:55:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
People tend to fear about Carlo Ancelotti because he's been so successful that he was an amazingly successful player as well. And he was a brilliant player in his time. He was ah he was an outstanding defensive midfielder.
00:55:09
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:55:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Think Andrea Pirlo in his pomp.
00:55:23
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:55:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Better than that.
00:55:25
Ken Davies
What player.
00:55:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He played 442 games. 20 years he had at Serie A at the top level with Roma and AC Milan and played 26 times for Italy. And his playing career spanned for...
00:55:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
between 1976 and 1992. And people don't remember him as a player.
00:55:40
Ken Davies
i remember I remember him as a player. I remember him playing against England, I'm sure, for Italy.
00:55:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, brilliant. Great player, great player.
00:55:48
Ken Davies
Go
00:55:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But even that, even his brilliant playing career, is totally dwarfed by his managerial career, which is utterly, utterly insane.
00:56:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay? Insane. And I'm going to run through what he's won very briefly. Okay? just to give you an idea of how good this bloke is.
00:56:05
Ken Davies
go for it.
00:56:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
With Juventus, he won the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Yeah, okay, fine. AC Milan, Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup.
00:56:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
With Chelsea, Premier League, FA Cup, FA Community Shield. With Paris Saint-Germain, Ligue 1, Ligue 1, With Real Madrid, La Liga, twice.
00:56:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Copa del Rey, twice. Supercopa de España, twice. UEFA Champions League, three times. UEFA Super Cup, three times. FIFA Club World Cup, twice.
00:56:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
FA Intercontinental Club. Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga and the DFL Super Cup, twice. And with Everton, he won a game.
00:56:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which for Everton managers, he won game.
00:56:57
Ken Davies
How did Everton get hold of him? that this this This is the question.
00:57:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:57:01
Ken Davies
How did Everton attract Ancelotti to Liverpool, to city of Liverpool?
00:57:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:57:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
He left for two years as well. I know. Two years he was there.
00:57:09
Ken Davies
That was a thing.
00:57:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
He must have. and I don't know what all that was.
00:57:11
Ken Davies
They did well. They did well to get
00:57:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, an unbelievable list of achievements. And of course, if you look down his list of personal achievements, his personal awards, I'm not even going to bother going down there. It goes on for hours. is so yeah It goes on for days and days and days.
00:57:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
His list of personal awards. He is, I think, the greatest manager in the world. I know everybody goes on about Pep Guardiola, but for me, Carlo Ancelotti is the greatest manager in the world. And I'm really, really excited.
00:57:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
really excited that he's taken on the Brazil job because as we said at the top of the show, for me particularly, and i'm sure for millions of other people around the world, World Cup equals Brazil, Brazil equals World Cup.
00:57:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we want Brazil to be brilliant.
00:57:48
Ken Davies
yeah
00:57:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
We want them to win. We want them to really, really well. And with a manager like Carlo Ancelotti, they have given themselves an unbelievable chance.
00:57:58
Ken Davies
Well, they clearly wanted him and they were very happy to be quite flexible in terms of the arrangements of him being a manager. So he was then not clearly the number one choice. And I'm glad i'm glad he's he's there as well. And you've seen the results automatically have changed.
00:58:15
Ken Davies
He's going to bring a great deal of belief, I think, to the team. And he's got a big job. He's got a big job in the next 15 months, I think, to turn him into a potentially World Cup winning nation.
00:58:26
Ken Davies
But they couldn't have anybody better at the helm. That's absolutely true. So on that note, before we actually get to the hour mark, first time we've gone over the hour on the podcast, where are they going to finish? What's your prediction for where Brazil are going to come in the World Cup?
00:58:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, before we do that, I've got an apology to make. and My apology to is to James in Boston, for because for the second week running, we've delayed your question to us. And your question to us is around, do we think whether or not the World Cup with its expanded format works?
00:59:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
i.e. what's the point of having teams like Jordan in it and Uzbekistan in it? who wrote Are they going to bring anything to the party? He emailed that question in a couple of weeks ago. Didn't get time to do it last week. We certainly haven't got time to do today.
00:59:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are going to do it next week. Okay. Whoever we do, we're going to it.
00:59:19
Ken Davies
Because next week we'll do Jordan and it's in the, we'll do Jordan and therefore, and we're not talking about the old supermodel.
00:59:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're doing Jordan. Oh,
00:59:26
Ken Davies
We're talking about, we're talking about the country. They've qualified to work up. We'll deal with that same issue when we've, when we're talking about Jordan.
00:59:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So are we doing, are we doing, by the way, I don't think Jordan would like to be described as old. I think he's probably upset her. But Ken Does Jordan is a totally separate podcast.
00:59:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's an 18-person.
00:59:44
Ken Davies
I've seen that video.
00:59:46
Ken Davies
you know That's 18 plus.
00:59:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
if
00:59:47
Ken Davies
That's not safe for work.
00:59:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, so James, apologies for that. But actually, if we're going to be talking about Jordan, it is ah is a valid debate. So we'll build that in. But so thanks, mate, and bear with us. ah Right, predictions. do I'll tell you what, mate. Kenny Boy, you go first with your predictions this week.
01:00:03
Ken Davies
I am torn on this because when I first looked at this, I thought Brazil, ah they've had a a pretty pretty rough um qualification process. They don't look like a team that is, I think, fifth in the world, given their recent results, is is a bit is a bit optimistic in terms of their ranking.
01:00:25
Ken Davies
Yeah. I was thinking quarterfinals. I was thinking round eight, ah a round of eight. So quarterfinals when they were going to come up against a team just too good for them. I think in that since Ancelotti and since doing some research on this, I do believe in Ancelotti. I think he's a very, very good manager.
01:00:43
Ken Davies
I can't see him winning it. I can see them getting to the semifinals. So I'm going to say Brazil will be eliminated in round of four, which is the semifinal.
01:00:56
Ken Davies
Nick.
01:00:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Maybe I should have gone first then. So let me tell you, let me read you out my notes from Brazil. Six months ago, i would had i would have had them gone out actually early.
01:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
not group stages nearly, but 16, even 32. even I would have had them be bundled out pretty easily. But with Carlo in charge, we've got a host of young players coming through. They're going to have a more settled squad.
01:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
They could go all the way. Could go all the way. Argentina and Spain are the teams to catch at moment. France have you are in there. England are in there. But Brazil, to my mind, since they've appointed it,
01:01:33
Ken Davies
No, they're not in there.
01:01:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't mean about winning it, but i mean sort of you know the ones the ones who are going to get to the to the real late stages the tournament. And we're going to do England at some stage when they qualify, which will be December sometime.
01:01:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brazil have catapulted themselves right into that group of potential winners, but certainly teams who are going to get to the end of the tournament. So like you, I've got them semi-finalists.
01:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got them semi-finalists.
01:02:05
Ken Davies
Hey, we agree on something.
01:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm really pleased.
01:02:08
Ken Davies
This is really starting to change shape
Speculation: Argentina-Brazil Final Possibility
01:02:10
Ken Davies
now.
01:02:10
Ken Davies
We've got one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine predictions now. ah
01:02:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because I've got eight semi-finalists.
01:02:18
Ken Davies
Nine teams, you know.
01:02:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It doesn't quite work.
01:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
01:02:23
Ken Davies
Now we've we've got them going out in all kinds.
01:02:25
Ken Davies
You particularly have got them going out all over the place. So I think that makes a lot of sense.
01:02:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah know Yeah, I hope so.
01:02:28
Ken Davies
So we both agree, though, they've got to be semifinalists. That feels about right.
01:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
i hope so. Do you know what? I hope they get to the final. Because I'm a bit bored of seeing Spain now, if I'm honest with I'm a bit bored of being... they've They've won loads recently. I'm a bit bored of Spain.
01:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Argentina, I'd like to see them get there for lots of reasons. And we talked about that a couple of weeks ago when we did Argentina. So, you here's hoping. Here's hoping.
01:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we'll see.
01:02:53
Ken Davies
Yeah.
01:02:53
Ken Davies
Is it possible to have an Argentina-Brazilian final or are are they are they grouped in such a way?
01:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll see.
01:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
is it the
01:02:59
Ken Davies
but
01:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, not yet. The draw's not been made, has it? So...
01:03:03
Ken Davies
No, mean, does the draw always end up with actually those those guys don't end up the final, they end up in a kind of a semi? I've got a feeling it might work like that.
01:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
of course but I've got a feeling they do, yeah. I've got a feeling they do.
01:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
depends on if they're they're both on the same side of the draw, then they're going to end up with quite each other before the final.
01:03:15
Ken Davies
Yeah.
01:03:15
Ken Davies
Yeah.
01:03:18
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah, I think they do do that.
01:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's possible.
01:03:22
Ken Davies
But and maybe we need to look at that at some
01:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's hope. Well, let's hope. Yeah, we should do. We will do when we know who's qualified. But, I mean, FIFA, for goodness sake, FIFA, for goodness sake, don't put them in the same insane half of a draw. that would a Absolute lunacy.
01:03:36
Ken Davies
point. Great. Because we've never had an Argentina Resilient final, have we?
01:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
01:03:40
Ken Davies
Can you imagine the fireworks? They'd be literally at war with each other.
01:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know. We don't need fireworks. It's going to be 200 degrees anyway and on a bobbly pitch.
01:03:49
Ken Davies
Yeah. Yeah, and it wouldn't be fireworks.
01:03:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
01:03:51
Ken Davies
It used would be actual artillery.
01:03:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah
Closing Thoughts: Reflection and Future Topics
01:03:55
Ken Davies
Brilliant. Anyway, so that's Brazil. That was fun, wasn't it? That was a rat was a really that was a really enjoyable one to research and do.
01:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love that and I hope you enjoyed it, guys. I hope everyone who listened to this right around the world are well in tune with everything that's going on with Brazil. Fantastic. Thank you for that. Lots of good stuff going on in there. I hope you did well in Kenny's quiz this week.
01:04:14
Ken Davies
ah um You know what I'm going to do now?
01:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kenny did particularly
01:04:16
Ken Davies
I'm going to go and research how to conduct a business conversation in Jordan.
01:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
well, I do know the first thing you do is go search Jordan's borders. So I'm deliberately not going to ask a question to about that next week because I know that you should research it.
01:04:27
Ken Davies
Right, okay.
01:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. How to conduct a business conversation in Jordan.
01:04:31
Ken Davies
Yeah, not with Jordan, not with Jordan, in Jordan.
01:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's see what we can do with that week.
01:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't give go Don't even talk about being in Jordan. We're not doing that conversation.
01:04:39
Ken Davies
I'm not trying to look.
01:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. Thank you for listening. That's it for this week. A little extended podcast talking about one of the greatest football teams in the world ever, and that is Brazil. Join us next week when we go to the right to the other end of the scale talking about Jordan, World Cup debut to Amsterdam.
01:04:54
Ken Davies
ah You say that. You say that, though. I think they're dark horses of this competition.
01:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they're not. But let's find out next week why Ken thinks Jordan are the dark horses of that competition. Until then, enjoy yourselves.
01:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Look after each other. Look after yourselves. Goodbye.
01:05:13
Ken Davies
Bye-bye.