Brazilian football icon Cafu has claimed that the Selecao’s long wait for a sixth World Cup title is partly due to the excessive pressure placed on Neymar over the past decade. According to the former captain, Brazil’s failure to build a balanced team around the Santos-born forward has left him isolated and overburdened on the international stage.

Cafu believes Neymar had to shoulder too much of the responsibility for Brazil’s success, without the same level of support that past generations enjoyed. Since his debut in 2010, Neymar has been the face of Brazilian football, but Cafu feels that the national team did not do enough to protect or complement their star player.

The former Roma and AC Milan full-back noted that earlier Brazil squads were filled with match-winners who could share the load. In contrast, Neymar often found himself carrying the hopes of the entire nation single-handedly. Cafu, who remains the last Brazilian captain to lift the World Cup in 2002, admitted that he has discussed this issue with fellow legends. He told ESPN, “I spoke to Roberto Carlos and said: ‘It’s a pity this boy is alone.’ He spent 15 years with the obligation to do everything, and doing it alone doesn’t work. In a national team, responsibilities must be shared.”

Cafu also pointed out the stark difference between the current Selecao and the 2002 World Cup-winning side, which featured the famous attacking trio of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho. That team’s collective brilliance ensured that no single player was forced to carry the entire burden. “In 2002, we didn’t have the same player as man of the match even once,” Cafu explained. “If Neymar had the level of support we had back then, he wouldn’t need to be the best on the pitch every game. Unfortunately, we’ve had Neymar alone for too long, and everything has been placed on his shoulders.”

This lack of balance has seen Neymar fall short in three consecutive World Cups, with Brazil reaching the semi-finals once and the quarter-finals twice during his tenure.

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup in North America, Cafu has identified Casemiro and Marquinhos as the players who should take on leadership roles, regardless of Neymar’s participation. “I see Casemiro and Marquinhos as excellent leaders,” Cafu said. “The way they position themselves on the field, how they communicate with the referee, and how they guide their teammates – these two are the true leaders of the Brazilian national team today.”

Under the guidance of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil will aim to reclaim global glory by capturing a record-extending sixth World Cup title – their first since 2002. The Selecao have been placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Before the tournament begins, Vinícius Junior and his teammates are set to play two international friendlies against Panama and Egypt as part of their preparations.