Brazil captain Marquinhos issues heartfelt apology to fans following historic defeat to Argentina

Brazil’s captain Marquinhos offered an apology to supporters on Tuesday following a devastating 4-1 loss to fierce rivals Argentina in Buenos Aires, marking the team’s worst defeat in World Cup qualifying history.

The five-time champions have claimed victory in only one of their last four matches, prompting Marquinhos to call on his teammates to rectify their shortcomings swiftly.

“What happened today cannot be repeated,” he stated in an interview with Brazilian TV Globo.

“It’s difficult to express the feelings right now… It’s truly embarrassing.”

“We started the match poorly, well below our capabilities, and Argentina displayed remarkable confidence. They knew how to play smart… I sincerely apologise to our supporters.”

Manager Dorival Jr has struggled to earn the approval of Brazil’s demanding fan base, having secured only seven wins from 16 matches since assuming the role in early 2024.

“This isn’t solely the coach’s responsibility… The players must take accountability as well,” Marquinhos remarked.

“There is no magical solution in football that guarantees success with one decision. We can all improve. We need to accept our share of the blame.”

“It’s about grasping the situation and remaining humble.”

While Argentina has already booked their spot in the 2026 World Cup, Brazil still faces challenges ahead in securing an automatic qualification in North America.

Currently, they sit fourth in the South American standings with 21 points, only six ahead of seventh-placed Venezuela, who are positioned for a place in the inter-confederation playoffs.

Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni expressed his delight with his team’s display.

“We played as a cohesive unit, which is why we were able to dominate Brazil. We performed at the highest level,” he told the media.

“We must continue to prove ourselves, although we’re aware that such performances may not always be the norm.”