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The FIFA World Cup is the most anticipated event in 2018 and football fans are eagerly waiting for the festival. After Brazil, the tournament will be held in Russia this term. The World Cup has already surprised us even before it started as Italy failed to qualify for the tournament for the first time in 56 years.

This term, we have a proper set of strong sides and underdogs, who are ready to fight for the big prize. A strong Germany will be looking to defend their title, Argentina led by Lionel Messi will be hoping to put their last term's setback aside and bounce back, while other teams will be giving their all to the cause.

Going into the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil were one of the favourites as they had the crucial home advantage and a 22-year-old Neymar to lead their attack. However, the Paris Saint-Germain player went down injured against Colombia in the Quarter Finals and Brazil crashed out of the competition after an embarrassing 7-1 lose to Germany in the Semi-finals.

The Canarinho head to the World Cup with Tite as their coach (Brazil have lost only one game under the 56-year-old) and a determined squad. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Brazil will make the world forget about their pathetic defeat to Die Mannschaft after Neymar proudly lifts the trophy for his country.

Neymar for Brazil under Tite: Most goals (6) ?Most assists (6) ??Leading by example. ?? pic.twitter.com/L0X5OxTWhg
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 5, 2017

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After Neymar makes his country proud at the grand stage and having a great season with Paris Saint-Germain, the 26-year-old will then go on to become the first player other than Messi and Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or in 11 years.

About the author

Dakir is a European and Indian football journalist at Sportskeeda with an overall experience of 10 years. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication, and currently pursuing Master’s in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University, he is a seasoned football journalist who has interviewed the likes of former Liverpool star John Arne Riise, covered the entire 2022-23 Indian Super League season of the Kerala Blasters, and has delivered a seminar at an international conference held by St. Albert's College, Ernakulam.

Thanks to his extensive academic background in journalism, Dakir understands the importance of accuracy and spends a significant amount of time researching the subject. In today’s data-driven world of football, where players are perceived as machines, he prides himself amplify the voices of the people that make football the beautiful game that it is.

He started following football in 2013, and more specifically, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, and admires Jurgen Klopp for his untouched charisma and unmatched legacy. A perpetual underdog supporter, he is a fan of under-fire Reds forward Darwin Nunez and can’t wait for him to show the world what he truly is. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s iconic “corner taken quickly” corner assist for Divock Origi in Liverpool’s 4-0 UCL semifinal win over Barcelona left a lasting impact on him.

When not writing, Dakir enjoys indulging in his guilty pleasure - watching mass commercial movies.

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Edited by Shambhu Ajith