Was Fred the unfair scapegoat of the World Cup? The very fact that he is being included in this list probably signals that he has been made one, as nobody truly expected the 30 year old Lyon has-been to light up his home country. However, I dont think anyone was expecting him to be as bad as he has been. To see a man so bereft of any natural talent, consistently lumbering around up front, collapsing to the ground under the slightest whiff of an infringement with an opponent, is a depressing sight to see. The number 9 jersey is emblazoned on his back, and with that, he is burdened with falling in line with a league of wondrous athletes who, in the past, have captured the imagination of Brazilian supporters. Fred is not an awful player, and he does have his strengths, however few, but to see him grab a solitary goal in seven World Cup matches, with his former World Cup compatriot having once bagged eight in a tournament, is not an endearing quality to his frustrated supporters.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
