Many fans seem convinced that there is a rift between manager Dorival Junior and his Brazil players based on some footage that has was taken during Saturday’s defeat by Uruguay at the Copa America.
Brazil lost 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the quarter-final clash had ended 0-0 inside 90 minutes.
What happened directly before the shootout really shocked viewers. Manager Dorival – who is under contract until after the 2026 World Cup – appeared to be excluded by his own players during a huddle on the field.
The 62-year-old boss was seen trying to contribute to the team-talk but it was hard for him to command any authority due to his position on the outside of the circle.
Commenting on the video after it had been shared on X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote: ‘It feels like his personality is not for this Brazilian team, and they’ve to find someone new with a new voice’.
Brazil manager Dorival Junior pictured (centre) looking dejected on Saturday night after his team were knocked out of the Copa America following a penalty-shootout defeat by Uruguay
Dorival (right) was earlier seen on the outside of a team huddle before the penalty shootout
Another fan commented: ‘Lack of discipline has always been the thorn in the Brazilian side, and I never thought I would see something as anti-football as collectively ignoring the coach, much less coming from Brazil!’
A third fan fumed: ‘The coach ALWAYS goes to the centre of the circle and the players listen to his instructions. What a lack of respect.’
Elsewhere among the comments, the video was described as ‘one of the saddest scenes in world football’.
After knocking out Brazil, Uruguay will now face Colombia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
The other semi will see Lionel Messi’s Argentina clash with Canada.
Dorival has been in charge of the Brazil men’s national team since January 10.
He has overseen eight games. Three of those have resulted in Brazil wins, with the other five – including Saturday’s quarter-final – ending level after normal time.
