"His inability to clinch the World Cup title appears to be the main issue here."
In the world of football, Brazilian defender Marquinhos finds himself in an intriguing position. While he is highly respected and admired in European leagues, his home country has yet to fully acknowledge his achievements.
Cris, a former Brazilian international with 17 caps and a defender for Lyon, believes this is due, in part, to Marquinhos' media presence. His father, Marcos, who runs the communication agency M5, has stated that Marquinhos prefers to stay quiet and avoid the spotlight, which may contribute to his lack of recognition in Brazil.
Marquinhos, who turns 31 this year, has been captain 14 times, including the last two under Carlo Ancelotti. His consistent performances, versatility, technical ability, leadership, and positive influence on the team have been noted by Cris and Ricardo, a former PSG legend.
However, some Brazilian fans criticize Marquinhos for being too neutral, too nice, or not decisive enough. This criticism has intensified following his missed penalty kick in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup against Croatia. Despite his 7 goals and 4 assists, these critics argue that he has not yet proven himself on the world's biggest stage.
Marquinhos' lack of recognition in Brazil is further highlighted by the fact that he has not won the World Cup. In Brazil, success in the World Cup is viewed as the primary measure of a player's accomplishments, according to Ricardo.
Yet, Marquinhos has much to look forward to. He will participate in his third World Cup this summer and is set to honor his 100th selection. With 100 caps already under his belt, he is set to surpass Ronaldo (99) and aim for the most capped defenders: Lucio (105) and Thiago Silva (113).
Claudio Taffarel, with 101 selections, finds that he will soon be overtaken by Marquinhos in the hierarchy of the most capped Brazilians. This milestone, coupled with his consistent performances, may finally bring Marquinhos the recognition he deserves in his home country.
Marquinhos' strategy of avoiding excessive media exposure has worked well for him, according to his father, Marcos. Despite having 5-6 sponsors, Marquinhos maintains a low profile, focusing on his football rather than his public image.
However, it is worth noting that Marquinhos has won the Champions League, a feat that few Brazilian players can boast. This success, coupled with his performances for Paris Saint-Germain, has earned him widespread acclaim in Europe.
Casagrande, a former Corinthians star turned UOL consultant, had previously stated that Marquinhos' career was over. Yet, Marquinhos continues to prove his critics wrong, demonstrating his resilience and determination on the pitch.
As Marquinhos prepares for the World Cup and approaches his 100th international match for Brazil in 2025, he remains a player to watch, both in Europe and in his native Brazil. Whether he can finally win the recognition he deserves in his home country remains to be seen.
