Why Fred Did Not Play During Brazil’s World Cup Campaign

Brazil rendered themselves as bitterly defeated in 2014 when an embarrassing blow by Germany in the semi-finals left deep scars. It will be interesting to see what the South Americans will think of their present campaign, wherein Belgium were able to kick them out in the quarter-finals itself.

An own-goal from Fernandinho followed by a stunning strike from Kevin De Bruyne did enough to ensure that Renato Augusto’s second-half goal wasn’t brilliant enough to spell further time in Russia.

Their exit has led to much criticism to be piled, and questions were raised about the effectiveness of the team throughout the tournament.

However, what Manchester United fans will be more concerned about is why their brand-new signing Fred didn’t make an appearance for his national side. Now, they finally have an answer.

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Brazil’s gaffer Tite revealed the following regarding the 25-year-old midfielder (via UOL): “Fred had a one-stroke problem and he was unable to make a full recovery. In general terms and physical, the team flew in. It was not the physical aspect that was decisive in defeat.”

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He went on to reveal that Fred had received an injury to his ankle before their campaign started. Said injury was sustained during a clash with Casemiro while the side was training at Tottenham’s base, prior to flying out to Russia.

This will mean that Tite will receive even more criticism as the choice to take Fred along, despite an injury translates to a promising player in a crucial spot being left doubtful for the grandest competition of them all.

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Tite added: “The way we work sometimes causes a lot of contact, we slow down the field, the accelerations are higher. Maybe if I had opted for light training I would not have hurt Fred, maybe Renato. Excellence is high rotation, and fortunately the two are well.”

Further, this wasn’t a singularity either, as Renato Augusto, Brazil’s lone scorer against Belgium, suffered a similar fate through a knee injury, leading to limited playing time.