Monday 9 June 2014 11:21, UK
Chelsea playmaker Oscar is hoping to follow in illustrious footsteps and help Brazil to World Cup glory on home soil.
A sixth global crown will be targeted by Brazil this summer, with a new generation of talent looking to emulate the achievements of legendary figures from the past.
Hosting the tournament is expected to work in their favour, but they are aware of the need to make the most of that advantage.
Oscar believes they are capable and appreciates that they have to deliver if they are to achieve their aim of standing alongside the greats of 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
We all realise that we’ll only be as good as past generations if we’re able to win as past generations did.
He said in a new book called ‘Oscar’s Brazil’: “We all realise that we’ll only be as good as past generations if we’re able to win as past generations did.
“Of the players who were getting called up this year, only Ronaldinho and Kaka have been involved at a World Cup when Brazil have won.
“There are one or two others who’ve been to a World Cup and not won, like Robinho and Julio Cesar. Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has won before, of course.
“Looking back to the Confederations Cup, maybe people were surprised how the team came together.
“We weren’t as surprised as the fans though. We’d been working hard, trying to be united as a team and wanting very much to do well. And that’s what we’re working towards now.
“We know the whole of Brazil will be behind us, willing us to succeed.
“Perhaps we don’t have the star players that previous generations have had, but we have unity.
“It’s a new face for the Brazil team and people recognised that – maybe began to believe in it – when they watched the Confederations Cup.
“We’re at home and for anyone to beat us at the World Cup, they’re going to need to play really, really, really well. We’re all together.”
