Opinion: The World Cup of Neymar and Messi

04/21/2014 - 10h00

Bayern, Barcelona, Juventus and Liverpool are the base of the national teams for their countries.

The German should have seven players from Bayern (Neuer, Boateng, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Müller and Götze). As often occurs in Bayern, the midfielder Müller could be the striker.

Spain may have seven from Barcelona (Piqué, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Fàbregas and Pedro).

If Xavi and Iniesta are not any good, there are two excellent reserves, David Silva and Thiago Alcântara, who is injured. With striker Diego Costa and laterals Alba and Azpilicueta, the national team will have better players in these positions than it had in 2010.

Bayern, the most celebrated team in the world, often utilizes pass changes and ball possesion like Barcelona.

The great problems of the Catalan team are others: many reserves are weak, the presence of a soft fullback (Mascherano), the absence of a great striker played in the air, at times, and the lack of dialing in on pressure, characteristic of Bayern and Barcelona's Guardiola era.

Centerbacks advancing without taking the ball, as had occurred, is suicide.

The Italian national team has several Juventus players (goalkeeper Buffon, Chiellini them, Barzagli and Bonucci and players Pirlo and Marchisio wheels).

National coach Cesare Prandelli, switching the tactical formation with two or three defenders. Juventus are the only great team in the world that operates with three fullbacks.

The coach of England has found that the best solution is to use Liverpool as the foundation, leader of the championship and of the greats, which has the most English players. Gerrard, Johnson, Henderson, Sterling and Sturridge will probably be called-up.

Brazil and Argentina are the most ready national teams, up to their options.

Felipão may use a third party in the midfield (Ramires), leaving Oscar. Another option is exchanging positions between Hulk, Neymar and Oscar. On the left, Oscar or Hulk gives Marcelo more protection than Neymar. Thus, Neymar can act more freely and closer to goal.

Argentina's primary alternative is to swap in one of the two attackers who play in front of Messi (Aguero and Higuain) for a half or striker, like Lavezzi, who marks and strikes the sides.

They boost the chances of Neymar and Messi shining at the World Cup. The bad moments of great athletes are the substrate, the flame that illuminates and ignites their careers.

This is a fact. Another is Neymar's contusion. Operatives have already created a new buzzword that those who rest will stand out at the Cup, as had happened with Ronaldo and Rivaldo in 2002. Experiences are personal.

The possible benefit of resting before the World Cup is not due to the risk of having a serious injury. On the other hand, being in great shape before the World Cup can be a positive. There is no rule. Everything is uncertain.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

Read the article in the original language