Brazilian centre-back Marquinhos is no stranger to football’s highs and lows. At 32 years old, he has felt the cruel sting of heartbreaking defeats and the euphoria of clinching historic titles,
Heading into his third campaign, the Seleção captain believes the lessons he has learnt throughout his career could prove decisive as his country goes in search of a record-extending sixth title in North America.
In an interview with FIFA, the cool-headed defender talked about PSG enduring years of frustration before lifting European football’s top prize in successive seasons.
"I’ve experienced that [frustration] at club level and so have some of the others in the squad," Marquinhos said. "We know that standards are extremely high and that it all comes down to the finest details: making as few mistakes as possible, capitalising on our opponents' errors and staying strong because we know we'll have to pull through some difficult moments."
Marquinhos has never made it beyond the quarter-finals in his two previous World Cup campaigns. In 2018, Brazil were edged out 2-1 by Belgium. Four years later, they came up short on penalties against Croatia following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes. In the shoot-out, the defensive maestro’s decisive penalty cannoned back off the inside of the post.
Now, three-and-a-half years on from that gut-wrenching miss, Marquinhos is ready to lead out his country at FIFA’s flagship men’s competition. The defender believes that his main duty is to guide the team through the pressure-filled moments that are an inevitable consequence of competing on the game’s biggest stage.
"Leaders really come into their own in difficult and challenging circumstances," Marquinhos explained. "That’s when you need to step up and carry the mantle of responsibility, especially for the younger players, for those who aren’t used to the pressure cooker and the furore that surrounds the national team when times get tough."
Marquinhos’ demeanour when talking to the press during times of adversity is testament to his leadership. He has often become the team’s spokesperson following a poor run of form or period of instability.
"That really is part and parcel of being a captain or leader," he said. "When times get tough, you need to be strong, help maintain a sense of calm and understand that you can turn things around through hard work, training and dedication."
The lessons of his past and his personal trajectory of overcoming setbacks are what fuel Marquinhos’s confidence. Brazil head into the World Cup following a four-year cycle that has seen as many head coaches take the reins, and a fifth-place finish out of 10 CONMEBOL teams in South American qualification. Still, the dependable defender has cause for optimism.
"We’ve got so many great players, with a plethora of options in all areas. We need to continue to mould our identity and understand how we can hurt our opponents and how best to adapt when the going gets tough,” he said.
Besides the abundance of technical quality at their disposal, Brazil head into the World Cup with an internationally renowned strategist at the helm. Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti is the only manager to have won the UEFA Champions League five times, as well as securing the championship title in each of Europe’s top five leagues – in Italy, England, France, Germany and Spain.
"Ancelotti is a serial winner who has proven that he knows how to transform a team into champions," Marquinhos said of his coach. "I think it’s important for us to have him in charge right now. He’s dealt remarkably well with the challenges and the pressure that come with the territory.
We’re delighted to have a manager like him, who really understands his squad, his players, and who knows so much about the tactical side of the game, and even more about what it takes to become a champion. He’s brought a real spark to the group, that extra edge we needed going into this World Cup.”
The World Cup wove its way into Marquinhos’ story from a very early age. He was eight years old when a stacked Seleção side featuring Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho secured the fifth star on the country’s crest in 2002. That team and that triumph set the São Paulo-born stalwart on his path to future footballing stardom. "When I was a kid, I saw our country become five-time champions with that win at the 2002 tournament. That lit the touchpaper for my passion for football, Brazil and the World Cup," he recalled.
Representing Brazil at the World Cup became his number-one goal. That dream came true when he received his first World Cup call-up for Russia 2018.
Four years later, in Qatar, he earned his maiden start at the tournament. This year, his story on the sport’s grandest international stage enters a new chapter as he prepares to don the armband. Should Brazil claim the coveted crown, it will be none other than Marquinhos who holds the trophy aloft.
"Every player who gets their hands on the trophy says that it’s without question the greatest moment of their lives. I want to experience that for myself. If I were to win the World Cup, it would be the pinnacle of my life and career," he declared.
Having sealed legend status at PSG and become an increasingly influential figure in the Brazil dressing room, Marquinhos is well aware of the scale of the challenge that lies ahead, the responsibility that he must shoulder and the opportunity to write his name into World Cup history, saying: "At 32, this might be my last chance."
Sources: FIFA Official
