Brazils footballing fortunes have not been as prolific as usual over the past few seasons.
In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, they only managed to reach the quarter-final stage before they were defeated by the Netherlands, while the recently concluded Copa America saw them hobble to the same stage and then lose out on penalties to Paraguay.
They are now down to fifth in the FIFA world rankings, even below England, while Spain have taken over as the games powerhouse.
It is this new driving force which is also threatening to rob Brazil of one of its brightest talents, 19-year-old striker Neymar.
The Santos man is wanted by both Real Madrid and Barcelona, while the moneymen of Manchester City and Chelsea have also been linked with a bid.
Playing in a position which has seen the likes of Pele, Romario, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho excel in the sport, Neymar is the next Brazilian wonderkid off the production line.
As with many, Europe comes calling for the top talent – Romario and Ronaldo were both brought to the continent by PSV Eindhoven, while Paris Saint-Germain snapped up Ronaldinho – and it is often hard for Brazilian clubs to resist an injection of cash.
It is believed that Santos have placed a £40.3 million release clause in his contract and the club are doing all they can to hold on to the man who has the weight of a nation on his young shoulders.
Even the government could become involved, with the issue of Neymars next employer turning into a matter of state.
“He will stay at Santos. It is not safe, but that is my intention, my objective. I have talked a lot with his father, and now we will resume those conversations. It does not make sense he leaves now,” Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira told AS. “The government has great companies that invest in sports. In volleyball, for example, the Bank of Brazil is its main sponsor. In futsal, our best player, Falcao, is also sponsored by the Bank of Brazil. There is a lot to talk, because of the 2014 World Cup, to keep our best players,” added the clubs supremo.
Indeed, the World Cup is currently a massive focus in the country and success will not be hoped for in 2014 by the host nation but rather expected.
The likes of Neymar, AC Milans Alexandre Pato and Barcelona flyer Dani Alves are leading a new generation of Brazil into the future.
Gone are the old guard of Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Dida, Gilberto Silva and Ze Roberto – all household names who have left a legacy for 2014s team to live up to.
One of the encouraging things about the recent Copa America finals was the number of Brazilian-based players who were selected in the squad. Despite the draw of Europes best, seven players ply their trade in their home country, with three representatives coming from Santos.
Like Neymar, many of that group might get picked up by bigger clubs, with Ganso and Lucas just two of those with the world at their feet.
Indeed, competitions like the World Cup can act as the perfect shop window for those players looking to move to European shores to play for some of the biggest teams on the planet.
The likes of Lucas Leiva, Pato, Maicon, David Luiz and Sandro are just five of the current squad who are paving successful careers for themselves in Europe at the moment.
If Neymar is tempted by the bright lights of Madrid, Barcelona or Chelsea, the chances are Brazilian football fans will see him back in his homeland once more in the future, with many Latin American stars choosing to finish their careers in their homeland and giving something back to the clubs which gave them a chance to showcase their talents.
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