Brazil 2006
Brazil arrived at Germany 2006 as holders and overwhelming favourites, boasting perhaps the most star-studded squad ever assembled. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Adriano, Robinho, and Roberto Carlos a constellation of individual brilliance that on paper seemed unbeatable. Ronaldinho, reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, was expected to dominate the tournament as Pelé and Maradona had before him. But the Magic Quartet never clicked. Ego, complacency, and a lack of tactical discipline undermined the collective effort. The group stage was unconvincing, and in the quarter-final, France led by a resurgent Zinédine Zidane outclassed Brazil in a composed 1-0 victory. Thierry Henry scored the only goal. Brazil's elimination was a wake-up call: talent alone does not win World Cups. The most gifted squad in history went home without ever finding its identity, and Brazil would not lift the trophy again for at least another two decades.