Since the 2002 World Cup, Brazilian football has experienced a period of decline.
Despite some achievements in the 2014 World Cup, Brazil's best results in the other World Cups have been limited to reaching the quarter-finals.
This stands in stark contrast to their previous glory of reaching the finals in three consecutive tournaments, highlighting a significant decline.
At its peak, Brazil consistently held the number one spot in the world rankings.
However, since the beginning of the new century, the global football landscape has seen more competition, with teams like Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, and Argentina dominating at various times.
Meanwhile, Brazil has gradually moved away from this top position.
Before the 2022 World Cup, Brazil briefly returned to the number one spot in the world rankings, leading many to believe that a true resurgence was imminent.
However, in the 2022 World Cup, Brazil again only reached the quarter-finals, showing no substantial improvement, with their so-called nine top forwards being ridiculed.
So, when will Brazil truly make a comeback? Or rather, what events could signify that Brazil has indeed revived?
Some might say it would be winning the World Cup.
While this is a reasonable perspective, it is somewhat simplistic.
Today's world football scene is highly competitive, and although winning the World Cup every four years is undoubtedly a pinnacle achievement, failing to win it does not necessarily diminish a team's overall strength.
For Brazil, being far from the finals or even the semi-finals for a long time indicates that a resurgence does not necessarily require waiting for a World Cup.
Exceptional performance in non-major tournament years could also serve as a marker of revival.
In fact, winning the World Cup is not the sole criterion.
Generally, it is believed that Brazil's decline truly began after the 2006 World Cup. Although the squad was aging, the team's strength was still formidable.
More importantly, until 2006 and 2007, despite some decline in performance, Brazil had not lost a certain tradition.
From 1994 to 2007, this period could be considered Brazil's golden era. During this time, every two to three years, Brazil would produce a standout player, often hailed as the European Footballer of the Year or the World Player of the Year.
For example, Romário in 1994, although the Ballon d'Or was not yet open to global players, his performance was enough to earn him the FIFA World Player of the Year.
Following him were Ronaldo in 1996, Rivaldo in 1999, Ronaldo again in 2002, Ronaldinho in 2005, and Kaká in 2007.
From 1994 to 2007, every two to three years, Brazil would have a World Player of the Year, indicating that Brazil consistently produced top-tier talent.
However, starting in 2008, the flow of Brazilian talent began to wane. People often mention that in the past decade, Brazil hasn't produced any top players, which essentially means there haven't been any Ballon d'Or winners.
Not only have there been no European Footballer of the Year titles, but no FIFA World Player of the Year titles either.
While the Messi-Ronaldo era dominated the football scene, in recent years, their dominance has waned, and players like Benzema, Modrić, and Lewandowski have risen to win the Ballon d'Or, but no Brazilians have.
Although Neymar has frequently been in the top three globally, he has never clinched the title of World Player of the Year.
Therefore, if asked when Brazil will truly make a comeback or what will signify Brazil's resurgence, the answer might be: when Brazil produces another World Player of the Year after Kaká.
Whether it is the European Footballer of the Year or the World Player of the Year, I believe this day is not too far off.
While the Messi-Ronaldo era has lasted for over a decade, their dominance is waning.
Players like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and the upcoming Endrick have the potential to represent Brazil's future.
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