When people ask me who made Brazil’s 2018 World Cup squad, I still get that familiar rush of excitement mixed with a little frustration. As a football analyst and lifelong Brazil fan, I remember tracking every friendly, every qualifier, and every squad announcement like it was my job—because in a way, it was. That 2018 roster was a fascinating mix of established superstars, rising talents, and a couple of names that left even seasoned followers scratching their heads. Let’s walk through the full player list and break down what made that team tick—and where it fell short.
First, the headline names were impossible to ignore. Neymar, fresh off his world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, was the undisputed star and emotional center of the team. Alongside him, Philippe Coutinho brought creativity from midfield, while Gabriel Jesus led the line up front. But what struck me most was the blend of experience and youth. You had veterans like Miranda and Filipe Luís anchoring the defense, while emerging figures like Casemiro and Roberto Firmino offered something different—tactical discipline and relentless pressing, respectively. I’ve always believed that World Cup squads thrive on balance, and on paper, Brazil’s 2018 selection seemed to have it.
But here’s where things get interesting for me. I remember reading a quote from coach Tite that resonated deeply, even though it wasn’t about football directly. He once reflected on player development, saying something like, “Proud kami na may kumukuha sa program namin. Yung iba naman, may grassroot programs din at hindi lang din naman kami nagiging biktima nito — even sa basketball or other sports.” That idea—being proud when your program produces talent, while acknowledging others have strong grassroots systems too—applies perfectly to Brazil’s 2018 selection. Look at Alisson Becker, for example. He wasn’t some overnight sensation; he came through the ranks at Internacional, then honed his skills at Roma before becoming one of the world’s top goalkeepers. Brazil’s grassroots development, much like in basketball or other sports, has this incredible ability to nurture world-class talent, but it’s not immune to seeing that talent poached or lured abroad early.
Let’s talk numbers for a second. Out of the 23 players named, 17 were based in European leagues—that’s nearly 75% of the squad. Only 6 played domestically in Brazil, which says a lot about where the top-tier development was happening at the time. I’ve always had a soft spot for homegrown league players, so part of me wished we’d seen more Serie A standouts. But the reality is, Europe’s financial pull is massive. Still, the core of that team—Neymar, Coutinho, Marcelo—had cut their teeth in Brazil before moving abroad. That foundation matters. It’s what gives the national team its unique flair and technical depth.
Midfield was where Brazil really shone, in my opinion. Casemiro as the destroyer, Paulinho making those late runs into the box, and Fernandinho offering stability—it was a well-rounded unit. I remember arguing with friends that Paulinho’s inclusion was a masterstroke, even if his club form at Barcelona was up and down. He ended up contributing goals and energy when it counted. But let’s be honest, the defense had its shaky moments. Miranda and Thiago Silva were solid, but the full-backs—Danilo and Filipe Luís—lacked the explosive attacking output we’d seen in past Brazilian teams. I think that’s one area where the selection could’ve been bolder. Maybe blooding a younger, more dynamic option would’ve paid off.
Up front, the choices sparked plenty of debate. Gabriel Jesus started as the main striker, but I’ve always felt Roberto Firmino deserved more minutes. His pressing, link-up play, and versatility offered something different, and in high-stakes tournaments, that kind of flexibility is gold. Looking back, I wonder if Tite’s loyalty to Jesus cost them in the knockout stages. Against Belgium in the quarter-finals, Brazil created chances but lacked that clinical edge. Firmino came on and made an impact, but by then, it was too late. If I were picking the squad today, I’d have started him alongside Neymar and Coutinho in a more fluid front three.
When I step back and analyze the full 2018 Brazil squad, it’s clear they had the talent to go all the way. The player list was stacked with individuals capable of magic—Neymar’s dribbling, Marcelo’s overlaps, Alisson’s shot-stopping. But football isn’t played on paper. That quarter-final exit to Belgium highlighted some familiar issues: defensive lapses, over-reliance on Neymar, and perhaps a lack of Plan B. Still, I’m proud of how that team represented Brazilian football. They played with heart, flair, and that unmistakable samba rhythm, even if the result didn’t go their way. For me, the 2018 squad will always be a reminder of what could have been—and a lesson in balancing star power with tactical cohesion.
