Brazil head coach Tite has revealed that he could not utilise the services of Fred at the World Cup after the midfielder failed to completely recover from an ankle problem. The 25-year-old sustained the damage after a rash tackle from Casemiro leading into the tournament and despite remaining with the squad, he could not garner a single minute on the playing field.

Speaking after the Belgium defeat, Tite confirmed that Fred could not participate at the World Cup after he failed to make a complete recovery from the problem, he said: “Fred had a problem with his injury and failed to make a full recovery. In general and physical terms, the team flew. It was not the physical aspect that was decisive in defeat.”

The Selecao were regarded as the front-runners to secure the World Cup crown after their impressive form leading into the tournament. However, they appeared to show a lack of clinical nature in front of goal which hampered them from the off and they were eventually outwit by Belgium, who scored a 2-1 triumph over them at the quarter-final stage.

With the result, Brazil’s wait for another World Cup crown has been extended until the summer of 2020 at least and it will be interesting to see how the future paves for the current crop of players. The likes of Thiago Silva and Fernandinho are expected to hand up their international boots soon with their trailing age but the future remains bright with several young players coming through the ranks.

Whilst Philippe Coutinho and Neymar have already established themselves as house-hold names and there have been plenty of young talents including Arthur, who have made the step to European football and the next couple of years should help in establishing a young squad capable of winning the World Cup in Qatar.