Author: Shreyas Sharma
On his debut as coach of the Brazilian national soccer team, Fernando Diniz had plenty of reasons to smile. The team’s dominant victory by 5-1 over Bolivia in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup was not only an impressive start to his tenure, but also marked a historic moment when Neymar overtook Pelé (77 goals) to become Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals to date. Diniz took the opportunity to praise both the team’s performance and Neymar’s exceptional achievement.
In his post-match press conference, Diniz expressed his satisfaction with the result of the game, highlighting the team’s performance on the pitch. He was particularly pleased with Brazil’s style of play, emphasizing ball possession and attacking ability, which was evident when the team raced into a 4-0 lead and didn’t concede a shot from Bolivia.
Diniz said: “It was a very good game, with lots of chances and a very imposing style of play. I liked it very much and was very satisfied. That’s what we intend to do from now on – focus on possession and aggression. It’s only the beginning and, although we’ve made some mistakes, the positives have clearly outweighed the negatives.“
The coach also acknowledged the seamless transition from his predecessor, Tite, and praised the players for their adaptability and willingness to implement his guidelines in such a short period of time. Diniz acknowledged the base established by Tite and his clear style of play, which he intends to build on, emphasizing efficient ball possession and a strong offensive connection.
Regarding Neymar’s inclusion in the team, despite not having played for several months, Diniz defended the decision, emphasizing Neymar’s incredible talent and record-breaking potential. He said: “For those who didn’t know what he was doing, that’s what he came to do, break records. He’s a great idol, and people have to recognize and accept him. It’s only natural, given Neymar’s talent and potential. It’s only natural, given the talent he has and the empathy he arouses.”
Neymar’s record performance left Diniz amazed and filled him with optimism for the player’s future, not only with the national team, but also with his club career. Diniz said:“It’s great to experience this with him; it’s just the start of a bright future that he’ll have, not just here with the national team, but at the clubs where he ends up.”
Diniz also spoke about the personal connection he established with Neymar, emphasizing the importance of understanding the player’s wishes and thoughts. He asked for respect and recognition of Neymar’s qualities, not only on the pitch, but also as a person.
With the impressive opening win and Neymar’s record-breaking feat, Fernando Diniz and his team now shift their focus to their next opponents, Peru, in the World Cup qualifiers. The next match in Lima on Tuesday represents another opportunity for Brazil to showcase their talent under Diniz’s leadership.