As generations of fans have come to seemingly know and accept, Brazil's place at the top of the world's game is seen as being all but unrivaled and unquestioned. The legendary names to have been adorned with the famous yellow shirt make up a list that reads like something of a VIP list, and collectively the efforts of these near mystical figures have led to Brazil amassing a gaudy collection of World Cup conquests.
Yet, despite the reverence that Brazil has rightfully garnered for decades on end, a funny thing has been happening with the dialogue surrounding the Brazilian mystique over the last year or so. A growing wave of doubts has been surrounding this Brazil side due to a rash of uninspiring performances in friendlies that ultimately led to Mano Menezes' dismissal and the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari. While performances under Scolari leading up to this year's Confederations Cup represented a marked improvement, doubts still remained about how Brazil would fare in a tough group.
Alas, as we have now seen on the strength of three games in the competition so far, Brazil looks set to reassert its worth on the international stage once again.
In reflecting back upon the year that has preceded this summer renaissance for Brazil, let us not forget, first and foremost, that the discrepancy in intensity between a myriad of friendlies and actual competitive matches can be vast indeed. While the grind of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying can be arduous indeed, many would agree that it leaves a team rather battle-tested once its time on the world's biggest stage draws near. Though there is a luxury in automatically qualifying as the host nation, it hardly does a team any favors in the run-up.
Despite this, Scolari and Brazil have somehow found a way to flip a figurative switch and put forth a best foot as the world watches. Aside from Italy's goals in the final group game, Brazil, thanks in large part to Herculean performances from David Luiz and Dante and some timely saves from Julio Cesar, has looked nothing short of airtight in defense. While such a trait doesn't always come to mind when one thinks of Brazilian sides, this side is showing a degree of grit so far that could prove to be quite lucrative in the future.
Of course the defensive efforts from Brazil so far in this edition of the Confederations Cup have hardly drawn the most accolades, have they? Instead, and perhaps rightfully so, Neymar has almost single-handedly stolen the show and captured the imaginations of those around the world who have only seen glimpses of a player who has been in the shop window for Europe's biggest clubs for years now. Despite the reputation that had preceded Neymar going into this summer, his visibility to the masses was scarcely a fraction of that seen from other renowned players. If plying his trade at Santos has resulted in him playing under an odd cloud of anonymity save for his appearances with Brazil and resultantly being elevated to an almost mythical pedestal, his run of form this summer, replete with splendid volleys and highlight reel goals, has contrastingly served to show the world and Barcelona fans exactly what he is capable of under brighter lights.
Though the Confederations Cup has been derided by some ever since its inception, it is offering a fantastic stage on which Brazil can put the rest of the sporting world on notice. With today's semifinal against Uruguay and a potential final match against either Spain or Italy lying in wait, the possibility is there for Brazil to stand tall as a prohibitive favorite for next summer's spectacle.
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