Exclusive: Jairzinho rejects Neymar 'dependence' and backs Brazil for World Cup
Living legend of that historic team, three-time world champion Jairzinho commented on his expectations for this year's World Cup, Brazil's odds and also the future of the Brazilian team.
What are your expectations for the Brazilian team in this World Cup? Are Brazil capable of winning the championship in Qatar?
"Brazil are one of the favourites for the title, there's no doubt in my mind. I don't see any other team that makes us afraid, except the traditional ones, and Brazil is one of them. We have a good squad, quality players and a very good coach. My expectations are the best and we can be champions again."
Do you think that the national team no longer has the so-called 'Neymar dependence'? "You know, I really disagree that we are dependent on one player. A player can do nothing on his own without a team. That happened with us in 1970. Everyone spoke about Pelé, but the great attraction was Jairzinho, along with Rivellino, Tostão, Gérson. We were companions, a team, so that Pelé could also shine."
And what is the feeling you have around this national team, given the weight of your history in the shirt?
"It's a feeling of total attention, encouragement, so that this group that will be there can make Brazil become champions again, become a team that enchants the fans and unites the Brazilian people."
What are your greatest memories of the 1970 World Cup? And how did you see your confidence growing to become the 'Hurricane' of that World Cup? "What struck me was the affection and the welcome that the Mexicans gave us, because Botafogo was the Brazilian team that played the most in Mexico, we made several trips there. We were already well known in Mexico and the Mexicans were on our side, cheering and rooting for us. And I can't stop talking about that team, that squad. Brazil had never fielded a team with five No. 10s before and, thank God, we managed to make it work. For me, this is one of the greatest teams in history."
"My goal was to reach the final and that's what happened. I contributed along with all my teammates and you can see the affection with which people remember us when I give an interview like this, it's a recognition of everyone. In that national team, the only famous player was Pelé, but everyone wrote their name in history. That World Cup had Jairzinho, who scored in every game in a World Cup."
Why do you think Brazil hasn't managed to win a World Cup since 2002?
"In 1970 we were all playing in Brazil. Nowadays they're all playing in different countries and that leads to a lack of integration, partly because the preparation is so short. You can't fine-tune a team in just two or three weeks. You need time, you need to be together. I think the national team lacks that. And it's not because other countries have made progress. It's because we're not getting the same amount of training time that those teams have."
The Tite era is about to come to an end. Do you agree a foreign coach could come to the national team?
"I disagree with bringing in a foreign coach, they don't know any more than we do, we're full of great coaches here in Brazil with great knowledge. It's only necessary that whoever is in charge of football makes the best decision and, for sure, we'll be well coached."
