Marquinhos Responds to Shiogai's Comments Ahead of Brazil vs Japan Clash

Brazil's captain Marquinhos has responded to Japan's Kento Shiogai's comments regarding Neymar and the Brazilian team's strength ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match. Marquinhos emphasized that the team prefers to let their performance speak for itself while using rival comments as motivation. He acknowledged the competitive nature of modern football and reaffirmed Brazil's status as a top team. The five-time world champions have a remarkable history of topping their World Cup group, continuing their streak for over four decades. Read on to discover more about this intriguing pre-match exchange.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 23:54 IST

Brazil's Captain Addresses Rival Remarks

In Texas, USA, on June 29, Brazil's captain Marquinhos reacted to statements made by Japan's forward Kento Shiogai about Neymar and the Brazilian team's prowess ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match on Monday. Marquinhos emphasized that the Brazilian squad prefers to communicate through their performance on the pitch.

Shiogai had previously remarked that Neymar "wasn't the same anymore" and implied that Brazil no longer holds the same level of respect in the football world.

In an interview with Caze TV, as reported by a sports news outlet, Marquinhos mentioned that such comments from opponents serve as motivation for the Brazilian team. He noted that the squad has been training with humility during their stay in the United States and prefers to let their rivals speak while they concentrate on their preparations.

"It's beneficial for them to keep talking as it motivates our team. We've been in the United States for a month, working with great humility. We let our opponents do the talking to inspire us," the defender stated.

Marquinhos also highlighted that modern football is increasingly competitive and requires teams to exhibit intelligence and composure at every level of the tournament. While he suggested that Japan's comments might reflect a hint of arrogance, he affirmed that Brazil remains one of the top teams in global football.

"Football today is very balanced. It requires intelligence and wisdom; perhaps there was a bit of arrogance in their remarks. Brazil continues to be a formidable team. It's about demonstrating our strength and quality with every play, knowing each moment can be crucial. We leave the talking to them and let it fuel our motivation to win the match," Marquinhos added.

Brazil advanced to the Round of 32 after securing the top position in Group C, marking their impressive record of finishing first in their World Cup group for the 12th consecutive tournament. The five-time champions have consistently topped their group in every FIFA World Cup since 1982, maintaining a streak that has lasted over four decades.