Former Brazil international and coach Paulo Silas has stated that Brazil will never win the World Cup again. He made the controversial declaration during an appearance on an ESPN Argentina program this week, as reported by O Globo Esportes.
Silas launched a comprehensive critique of Brazilian football's current state. He argued that an excess of foreign players in the domestic league is hindering the development of young national talent. Currently, a percentage of players in the Brazilian Série A are foreigners. Using Grêmio as an example, he noted the club has 11 foreign players in its squad, though only nine can be registered per match. None of them are starters for their respective national teams.
What is causing Brazil's crisis?
Paulo Silas places the blame for the national team's struggles squarely on the players, not manager Carlo Ancelotti. He questioned whether modern footballers know their idols and are willing to play in any position. "Nobody wants to be a full-back anymore. No likes," he said, criticizing the lack of interest in the role. Silas also stated Brazil no longer produces traditional number 10s or number 9s.
The former midfielder contrasted the attitude of Vinícius Júnior, whom he praised for understanding what it means to play for Real Madrid, with that of James Rodríguez, who had a poor spell at the Spanish club. Despite the criticism, the Brazil national team remains top of its World Cup 2026 qualifying group with 7 points from 3 games (2 wins and 1 draw). Their recent form shows 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in the last five matches.
How do other leagues compare?
Silas presented comparative data to support his argument. While the Brazilian league has a percentage of foreign players, Spain's La Liga has a percentage, nearly double. Barcelona, for instance, has a percentage of foreign players in its squad. Despite this, the Catalan club managed to develop young talents like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, the latter chosen as the best young player of the last World Cup.
The former player also mentioned that Argentina and Portugal are ahead of Brazil, even without recent titles. He recalled it would have been worse to face Argentina in the World Cup round of 16 than Norway, who beat Brazil 2-1 on July 5, 2026. Argentina defeated Brazil at the Maracanã in the 2021 Copa América final and also in the round of 16 of the 1990 World Cup, when Oscar Ruggeri, his coach at San Lorenzo in the 1990s, was playing.
The Havelange legacy and what's next
Paulo Silas linked the weakening of Brazilian football to the end of João Havelange's presidency at FIFA. Havelange, the former Brazilian FIFA president accused of corruption, bribery, and embezzlement, allegedly secured external and internal power for the country. "Brazil will never be champion again," Silas sentenced.
As the debate continues, the Brazil national team prepares for its next official fixture. Carlo Ancelotti's side faces Australia away on September 25 in a qualifying match. Brazil maintains a strong campaign in the competition, having scored 7 goals and conceded only 1, for a +6 goal difference. Fans can check the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page and view the current group standings at standings.
