Copa 2006: Seleção Brasileira de Futebol

O Observer publicou esta longa reportagem sobre os problemas da seleção brasileira.

O jornal britânico mostra que praticamente todos os nossos titulares estão em má fase nos times em que jogam. A exceção é o Ronaldinho Gaúcho, mas mesmo o melhor jogador do mundo é motivo de preocupação.

Some might call it a crisis. Brazil, clear favourites to retain the World Cup in Germany this summer, have several key players out of form and under fire from the media. They have problems in goal, central defence, midfield and attack - and their manager is even worried about the world's best footballer, Ronaldinho, being over-played. Can they put everything right in the next two months?

As críticas são conhecidas de todos nós como os frangos do Dida, as noitadas do Adriano, a banha do Ronaldo, a precariedade da defesa, as atuações pouco inspiradas de Kaka até a propaganda meio arrogante do Santander...

Meanwhile, back in Brazil, the merry band of footballing superheroes are fronting all manner of advertising campaigns, cashing in on the fever as the country aims for 'Hexa Campeon', their sixth World Cup crown. In a commercial for Banco Santander, a group including Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Robinho bang on about being 'the best in the world'. Easier said than done right now.

No final da reportagem há uma série de destaques que saíram na mídia...

'From solid defenders to grilled chickens'

In goal

'There is no denying that we are talking about a crisis here' Gazzetta dello Sport on out-of-form Dida

Defence 'They have gone from being solid defenders to grilled chickens, from stress-resistant ball artists to security risks in front of their own goal' Kicker on central defenders Juan and Roque Junior, who play at Leverkusen

Midfield

'A shadow. When he disappears, like he did against Arsenal... Juventus have no chance' Gazzetta dello Sport on midfield enforcer Emerson

Forwards

'He could have been a better player if he hadn't been affected by off-the-field problems' Pele on Ronaldo. His comments led to a bitter response from the striker

'It is not easy to be at your best when you have problems with your private life' Inter president Massimo Moratti on Adriano

'Adriano? He has not acted professionally and he has hurt the team' Inter team-mate Juan Sebastian Veron on Adriano's late return from a Brazil midweek international

The Star Man 'It's obvious that Ronaldinho is not going to be fresh at the start of the World Cup. Barcelona have recently had three players go down with muscular problems' Carlos Alberto Parreira

The conclusion 'These players are going through a bad patch, but many of the criticisms are exaggerated' Columnist Tostao, star of Brazil's 1970 team