Ze Roberto: This is Brazil’s Strongest Side Ever

May 10th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

We’ll give credit to Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto for being different. While most players and coaches are shying away from hyping their team’s chances at the World Cup, he has flat out predicted the Brazil will walk away with its sixth championship. “I am convinced that we will achieve it because we will field the strongest team Brazil has ever had,” Ze Roberto told Germany’s Sport Bild weekly. “We are sensational on every position, even in goal.”

While it is hard to disagree that Brazil has a lot of talent, don’t you think it is a bit premature to label this that best Brazil side ever? That is a pretty bold statement given the talented teams that Brazil has had in the past.

Perhaps he would be well served to read the comments of his teammate Juninho who has some questions about Brazil’s defense. We do too.

What do you think? Is this Brazil’s best team ever?

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Mesto

Time will only tell how good they are. The 1982 team was an amazing collection of talent yet they didn’t win the trophy. The 1994 team wasn’t the greatest but the won the WC.
http://www.girlysportsrant.blogspot.com tracy

Good. Love athletes who speak their mind. He’ll either be a genius or a fool :)
http://www.bensefels.de Bense

He’s a nutcase ;-) I just love to see self-proclaimed favourites fail!

That’s why I like to see England fail ever since 1968 *g*
celo

You like your players to be this confident, but he should be carefull when speaking to the media. He is sounding too cocky.

If you think of the 98 team, it was spetacular on paper as well. Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Leonardo, Cesar Sampaio all at their prime. And eventhough the team did reach the final, they played poorly throughout the whole tournment.

The most important thing for a team to have in such a tournment is good chemistry.
Chris

I wouldn’t call Dida’s goalkeeeping ’sensational’ for a start, the defence has a combined age of 167 and what happens if Ronaldinho gets injured in the first game.
I think a lot will depend on how he plays.
Ceasar Lourenco

I agree with Mesto, the 82 team was probably the best team tey ever had and as we know, they didn’t win the WC.
This team is very good but not as strong on defense as soom of the earlier teams.
But talent alone doesn’t win WC’s. Talent, luck and breaks together are what wins WC…
Juan

Sensational in every position, hmmm?

How about in bed?
http://www.viuasfotos.com/euler.htm Euler

He should not say things like that. This kind of opinion is exactly the main ingredient for disaster.
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/group-f/kaka-the-wise.html Kaka, The Wise – FIFA World Cup 2006 – Brazil World Cup Team Blog

[...] As the competition comes closer, many players are starting to express opinions and feelings about their chances and roles in the greatest event of any footballer. Some more wisely than others, I think. Juninho Pernambucano, for an example, thinks our defense is not good enough. I say it is as good as any. Zé Roberto, at the other hand, believes we are unbeatable. I disagree completely! This kind of mentality is the most dangerous in a competition like the World Cup. Remember BRA 82 and FRA 02? Now, Kaka is a guy with his head in the right place. [...]
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/group-f/parreiras-words-episode-2.html Parreira’s Words – Episode 2 – FIFA World Cup 2006 – Brazil World Cup Team Blog

[...] As much as I love to see him very aware of the damage favoritism can deliver, I don’t think he read Zé Roberto’s opinion about our chances in Germany. I ask you to keep this answer in mind, because I will soon translate another part of the interview that will make our rivals hate him even more, but for no reason. Just keep that in mind. [...]