Brazil's 24-Year World Cup Drought: Can This Generation Finally End the Pain?

For the first time in decades, even Brazil's own fans don't believe they'll win. And that might actually be a good thing.

It's been 24 years since Ronaldo Nazário danced past Germany's keeper and sealed Brazil's fifth World Cup. An entire generation of Brazilians has never seen their country lift that golden trophy.

The pressure to end that drought has never been heavier. But here's the strange part: for the first time since 1994, most Brazilians don't actually think they'll win.

A recent Datafolha poll found that only 29% of the population believes the Seleção can bring home a sixth star. Nearly half expect another quarterfinal exit the same wall they've hit in the last two tournaments.

What went wrong?

Let's be honest: Brazil's road to the World Cup has been a mess.

Just over a year ago, a Rio court ordered the removal of the CBF president for allegedly falsifying documents. That ruling came three days after Carlo Ancelotti was announced as head coach. Timing, right?

Then there was the qualifying campaign Brazil's worst ever. Fifth place in CONMEBOL. Ten points behind Argentina. And that 4-1 thrashing in Buenos Aires… without Lionel Messi even playing.

Captain Marquinhos called it "embarrassing" and apologized to fans. The loss cost Dorival Júnior his job and fast tracked Ancelotti into the hot seat.

The ghost of Belo Horizonte

No single moment captures Brazil's decline better than July 8, 2014.

The Mineirão stadium. The World Cup semifinal. Germany.

Five-nil down in 30 minutes. Seven nil with 10 minutes left. Then a meaningless consolation goal.

"7-1 has entered the language," says South American soccer expert Tim Vickery. "You just refer to any massive humiliating defeat, in any walk of life, as a 7-1. That's a stain on the carpet that's not coming out anytime soon."

The only way to erase it? Win the whole thing.

But here's the catch: Brazil hasn't beaten a European team in the knockout stages since they beat Germany in the 2002 final. France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Croatia all sent Brazil packing.

"I know some journalists who say, 'I don't even mind if we don't win this time, as long as we beat a European team in the knockout stages,'" Vickery says, half-joking.

The burden of 1970

Here's the thing about Brazilian soccer. It's not just about winning. It's about how you win.

The 1970 team Pelé, Jairzinho, that beautiful yellow shirt glowing on color TVs for the first time set a standard that no generation has lived up to.

"Every World Cup has since been judged by 1970," Vickery says.

Even the legendary 1982 side, which never made the final four, is still revered because they played beautiful soccer. Lately, Brazil hasn't been winning or playing with style.

That's why a 24-year drought feels heavier now than the last one.

Vinícius Jr.'s moment

If Brazil has any chance, it starts with Vinícius Jr.

Every Brazilian World Cup win had its hero: Pelé, Garrincha, Romário, Ronaldo. This time, it's the Real Madrid superstar's turn.

"It's his cup," says 2002 captain Cafu. "All eyes will be on Vini Jr."

The 25 year old seems unfazed. "It's nothing out of the ordinary," he says. "I've been playing for the Seleção since I was 19. Now I'm at the forefront, trying to take Brazil back to the top."

Two Champions Leagues. FIFA's best men's player in 2024. A Ballon d'Or runner up. But leading Brazil to a sixth World Cup? That's a different kind of legend.

One more dance for Neymar?

When Ancelotti named the 34 year old Neymar in his 26 man squad, eyebrows shot up. He hasn't played for Brazil since October 2023. Injuries have haunted him for two years.

But when his name was announced in Rio, the crowd erupted. "Olé, olé, olé, olá… Neymar, Neymar."

He might not play every game. He might not be the star he once was. But Brazil's all time top scorer gets one final shot at destiny.

As Ronaldo himself put it: "Believe, as we always do in World Cup times. Let's go back to painting the streets and filling them with flags. I hope we can bring the sixth title to Brazil."

The World Cup kicks off this summer in North America. For Brazil, the wait for a sixth star continues but for how much longer?