Mineiro believes Brazil is not only dependent on Neymar

Sudeep Pakrashi

Carlos Luciano Da Silva, popularly known as Mineiro acquired recognition precisely after his lone goal steered Sao Paolo FC to clinch the Fifa World Club Cup title defeating Yokohoma in the final in 2005. Otherwise, this defensive midfielder is not much discussed even after being included in the Brazilian World Cup squad in 2006. The reason behind the reality was that Mineiro could not get the opportunity to take part in a single match of the 2006 World Cup. 

Rather, his name came into more prominence in 2007 Copa America. Mineiro started in every match for Brazil, helping the country to win the tournament. The 48-year-old Brazilian World Cupper who has 24 matches for the senior national team said goodbye to international football in 2008, had continued playing for clubs in Germany before retiring from professional football from a fourth-tier German club TuS Koblenz in 2011. 

Coaching Career

Mineiro and his family shifted to Melbourne in 2020. By that time he acquired a UEFA-C license coaching degree during his 13-year stay in Germany. Still, he was not getting coaching assignments according to satisfaction. While talking over a Whatsapp call from Melbourne, the World Cupper remembered, "It was quite difficult to get a coaching job in Germany. On the contrary, I already visited Australia following an initiative of a Non-Government Organization when I was living in Germany and liked the atmosphere. So, in 2020 I did not hesitate to leave Germany for Melbourne. More importantly, following the worldwide attack of Covid-19 and the announcement of lockdown in many European countries also compelled me to leave Germany and finally settle in Melbourne."

Mineiro after having guided a premier women's team Essendon Royals to the national women's league as a chief coach there in Melbourne is now in charge of a lower division club Aintree FC and its academy Wood Lea. He said, "I want to share my experience as a footballer with the football fraternity in Australia so that it can help them to exhibit greater performance in the future."

Brazil and Qatar World Cup

Mineiro while commenting on Brazil's performance in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar explained, "The team has perfect preparation and balance. After watching them in the group league matches so far, I feel this team is not dependant fully on Neymar. More quality players in other positions can help the team to progress. Neymar will surely add more strength to the team in the knock-out phase. I will not be surprised at all if Brazil clinches its sixth World Cup title in Qatar." The inclusion of Dani Alvez and Thiago Silva in the squad created controversy initially mainly due to their ages. But Mineiro believes, "Their experience, precisely Thiago Silva's intelligence in the distribution of breaking passes will help the team to create scoring opportunities. So, both of them are still needed. The proper mixture of experiences and quality young footballers helps to maintain consistency."