Teresopolis (Brazil), June 5 (IANS) Brazil captain Thiago Silva says it is impossible not to think about lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy at the Maracana Stadium July 13.
The 29-year-old confessed that Brazil has a “big possibility” of winning a sixth World Cup in front of their own fans, reports Xinhua.
“If I told you that I haven’t thought about lifting the trophy, I would be lying. It’s inevitable. Winning is a big possibility because we are playing at home. We have a great team and passionate fans. It’s a unique time and the pressure is huge. But we have to think about the first game because right now that is what is most important,” the defender said at Brazil’s Word Cup training base here.
The Paris Saint-Germain centre-back is one of only six players in Brazil’s 23-man squad to have played in a World Cup. But he said the experience most players have in Europe has ensured nobody will be overawed by the occasion.
The former AC Milan and Fluminense star also underlined the positive influence of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The 65-year-old, who led Brazil to their last World Cup victory in 2002, began a second spell as national coach in November 2012. After winning just one of his first six games in charge, Scolari has overseen 14 victories from the Selecao’s past 15 matches.
“Felipao is a friend, a colleague and a dad. You know that during difficult times he will open up to you and give you advice. That’s important. There’s not one player from the 2002 team that speaks badly of him. That shows the coach and person that he is,” Silva said.
“We are proud to have someone like that with us. He is a winner and pushes us to go further. Some coaches, instead of giving you strength, they drag you down. That’s not Felipao’s style.”
Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia June 12 before matches against Mexico June 17 and Cameroon six days later.