In an interview with the Daily Mail, the Chelsea defender revealed that he is aware of the pressure Brazil will be under when the tournament kicks off in June but is confident Luiz Felipe Scolari can lead them to their sixth world crown.
The five-time world champions are yet to claim the title on home soil after falling at the final hurdle to Uruguay in 1950 and the 26-year-old believes Brazil simply must win the World Cup this year.
“We need to win the World Cup."
“I’m very excited. I think it will be a great World Cup for everyone, but for Brazilian people even more. They have been waiting for this for more than 50 years, so I’m very excited for my generation."
“There is a lot of pressure on us, we’re working very hard and we have a great opportunity because we’re playing at home. There will be more pressure on us than the other countries."
“Everyone in Brazil loves football and wants to see Brazil win the title. Germany [1974, 2006] and Italy [1974, 1990] both won and lost at a home World Cup. Brazil have lost once [in 1950] so I think it’s our turn to win it."
The former Benfica star was full of praise for Luiz Felipe Scolari.
“Scolari is a fantastic guy."
“He has a fantastic heart and he knows exactly when to he needs to say bad things and when he needs to give you a hug and be positive."
“He won a World Cup before so he knows what is required to win again."
