5 key players for Brazil at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

With just two more weeks to go, the excitement preceding the World Cup has reached fever pitch. The FIFA World Cup has always been regarded as the biggest sporting event in the world. This surely comes with a large following and a viewership that is the highest for any sporting event.As we pre-empt the action, there is mountingspeculation as to who will be the champions. To a majority of the people, Brazil does seem to be the team that would claim the ultimate honour this time. Being the hosts, their familiarity with the conditions and the recent triumph in the Confederations Cup are cited as the reasons forsuch predictions.While Brazil may just turn out to prove those predictions right, it is essential that their players perform in order for them to do that. We shall take a look at 5 players who are vital to the team and would be expected to headline Brazils challenge at the World Cup.You can see the Top 5 players for other teams here: FIFA World Cup top 5 Players for each country

#1 Thiago Silva

The captain of the team certainly needs to replicate his form at PSG this summer in Brazil. Despite having quite a number of minor injuries since his arrival in Paris, he has made sure that his game hasn’t suffered.

In a country that is famous for its attacking flair, Thiago Silva is known as a tough defender who is regarded as one of the world’s best in his position. In the Brazilian squad which comprises of many young players, Thiago Silva would be crucial in leading the team by example. His experience of having played at Europe’s top clubs will come in handy while guiding the younger stars of his team.

At 29, he is part of a new breed of defenders who are weak in no particular area. His main strengths include his pace and physical presence at the back coupled with his aerial ability and tough tackling.

His partnership with David Luiz has been highly efficient in drying up the number of goals conceded with them conceding just three goals in their last 8 matches. Silva’s ability with the ball at his feet isn’t questionable either, with him having a very good rate of long balls from defense, averaging seven accurate long balls every game.

Seeing as Scolari has set up his team to defend tight and attack on the counter, it would be vital that Silva performs well on both fronts. He would be vital in holding the defense together with David Luiz, who could be erratic occasionally.

And the same would apply for his contributions on the counter attack, as he has done with PSG. Above all that, Brazil have a rich heritage of captains leading their side from the front. A recent example would be Cafu and Silva must make sure he is a part of that list.