Big Question: Does being the Favorite Hurt Brazil?
We always take everything Pele says with a grain of salt. He was an incredible player, but his commentary and predictions over the years have often been less than stellar. That is why we were a bit skeptical when we read that he doesn’t think Brazil will win the World Cup because they are the favorite. Regardless of his motivation for saying this, it does raise an interesting question about whether or not the label of favorite helps or hurts a team.
There are certainly others out there who are in Pele’s camp. There are plenty of players and coaches who would rather kiss their aunts than be labeled the favorite. But at the end of the day, does it really matter? Brazil is going to face pressure to win no matter what. So is England. So is Argentina. And on and on.
What do you think? Does the label of favorite really hurt Brazil?
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Comments
By carrie | May 19th, 2006 at 1:27 am 
I think nothing will hurt Brazil other than the fact that their defense SUCKS.
By louie | May 19th, 2006 at 2:16 am carrie. there you go again..
i guess it’s a little better.
Now it’s just the defense..
Brazil is a good team, and so is argentina and italy..
Posted from 
United States
By Royal Flyness | May 19th, 2006 at 3:47 am Brazil are always the favorites to win. They should be used to it by now.
Argentina, England and Germany face equal, if not more pressure to win anyway.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By Greekfreak | May 19th, 2006 at 4:27 am Pele’s a sacred cow; I think it took guts on Ronaldo’s part earlier on this year when he suggested that he mind his own business, vis-a-vis professional careers.
That being said, Pele’s pronouncements are mostly full of shyte. Hell, most of the predictions on this site (including my own) are nothing if not idle conjecture.
Posted from 
Republic Of Korea
By DT | May 19th, 2006 at 4:38 am Since the first time I watched the World Cup, the number one favorites never won the tournament.
1990:
Number 1 favorite: Argentina
Winner: Germany
1994:
Number 1 favorite: Germany
Winner: Brazil
1998:
Number 1 favorite: Brazil
Winner: France
2002:
Number 1 favorite: France (and Argentina)
Winner: Brazil
2006:
Number 1 favorite: Brazil
Winner: definitely not Brazil
Posted from 
Australia
By Knut Karnapp | May 19th, 2006 at 4:49 am It didn´t hurt before. In my opinion they have been the clear favorite 2002 and they won so.
Posted from 
Germany
By Luis | May 19th, 2006 at 6:05 am Here in Brazil we say that “Pele mute, is a poet”. He only says stupid thinks. That’s why nobody let him work on the TV here anymore. Brazil might not win, of course, but this “favorite” think makes no difference.
Posted from 
Brazil
By senthil | May 19th, 2006 at 8:13 am certainly not. Brazil are going to win.
Posted from 
India
By Pedro P | May 19th, 2006 at 8:46 am Pele said, 4 years ago, Portugal was a serious contender for the tittle… I guess this says it all!
It’s never good to be a clear favourite, unless your team is Barcelona and the match is there…
Posted from 
Netherlands
By Euler | May 19th, 2006 at 9:41 am Favoritism can be harmful. The number one challenge for Parreira is to remove any traces of that thought from our player’s minds. After that we can try to win this thing.
By Pedro P | May 19th, 2006 at 9:51 am Exactly, Euler. Some time ago there was an enterview with Deco and he said he believed Portugal could win.
Some days later, when asked about it, Scolari said: “Oh yeah, he said that? Well, they can say whatever they want. Until May… Then I’m gonna shock bring them back to planet Earth and put some sense in their brains, cos there’s no such thing as an easy team in the WC or a pre given victory”. There… 
Posted from Netherlands
By Just a Jester | May 19th, 2006 at 10:29 am The only thing that worries me about this brazilian side is the wing backs carlos and cafu…they are past their prime but still pretty good….favorites tag shouldnt hurt them though
Posted from India
By zafinho | May 19th, 2006 at 3:39 pm DT, any reasons why your favorites are champions from the previous world cups, it just didnt happen since u been watching that a country wins in a row, doesnt mean it s not possible
Posted from United States
By DT | May 19th, 2006 at 3:56 pm Knut Karnapp, in 2002 the clear favorites were France and Argentina. Let me refresh your memory.
France was on top of their game after winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Zidane was on his prime. Henry played the same way he is now and Trezequet was banging more than 20 goals a season. Barthez was still a top keeper, Thuram was still young. Desailly and Lizarazu was still playing.
Almost everyone thought France was gonna win it. Just the same like they think Brazil gonna win it this year.
Sure, Brazil was ONE OF THE FAVORITES then, but the number 1 favorite was France (with Argentina a close second).
Posted from Australia
By DT | May 19th, 2006 at 4:09 pm Zafinho, they are NOT MY FAVORITES. They are most people’s favorites.
I’m predicting Italy to win it this time. Germany (don’t laugh) also have a good chance to win it.
Just a question for everyone, if Brazil meet Germany and it’s tie after extra time, do you think Germany will lose? I have never seen Germany lost on penalty shoot out.
Remember, in every World Cup, there’s always a few crucial matches that have to be decided by penalty shoot outs.
Posted from Australia
By dino | May 19th, 2006 at 6:51 pm Pele is using Psychology to help Brasil win the Cup. Brasil is favorite and is always under pressure because it is the best. His words are motivation for the Brasilian players to do well. All great teams are under pressure. Pressure keeps you on guard and makes you play smartly. Viva Brasil.
Posted from 
Canada
By rescorpione17 | May 19th, 2006 at 9:55 pm as already said evidence shows that being a favorite it means little if anything….if i recall well only brasil 1970 and germany 1974 heavily favorite before the cup won theirs…every other year things seem to became more and more elusive
i actually think that this year is more open than ever ….i also agree with some of you that this brasil has a week defence not only Cafu and Carlos are aging but also Lucio and Roque Junior are and they could start at the center and are not the fastest one…..
Posted from United States
By Euler | May 20th, 2006 at 5:36 am Roque Junior is not in the team. I believe that Cafu an Roberto Carlos are in better condition than most people think.
At the same time, their subs are incredibly talented and they can be replaced if they get tired or something.
As many people say, our B team is better than many A teams around.
By Enderson | May 20th, 2006 at 5:35 pm The only team that worries me this year is Germany, believe it or not.
Just like Brazil in 1998, Germany played well on 2002 but lost on the final.
I hope I’m wrong but I think that the fact that the WC is in Germany this year might influence on who the winner might be. (Just like in 1998 when France beat Brazil after a very questinable crisis on the locker room)…
I hope I’m wrong!
Anyhow, I STILL THINK THAT THIS WORLD CUP IS BRAZILIAN!
SIX TIMES CHAMPION
BRASIL RUMO AO HEXA~
Posted from United States
By dang | May 21st, 2006 at 3:33 pm It sucks to say but luck plays into it. The world cup does not dictate what the best team in the world is. Unfortunatly thats what people look at. Top teams in my view are Czech, Portugal and Brazil. I would also not be surprised if some unknown team takes the cup home. Shoot look at greece at Eurocup, they blow chunks and somehow still won
Posted from United States
By Bernardo | June 1st, 2006 at 9:04 pm Everybody is under pression.
world Cup is a very trick championship.
If you loose one game in the wrong moment, you’re out.
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