MORRISTOWN, United States (AFP) — Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker insisted Thursday that doubts about the record five-time champions could work in the team’s favour at the World Cup as they prepare to get their campaign in North America up and running.

“It is a good thing that there are some doubts about the team, because that has been the case on other occasions in the past,” pointed out the Liverpool shot-stopper, with a nod to Brazil teams at previous tournaments who were not considered favourites but went on to lift the trophy.

Brazilians are impatiently waiting for the Selecao to become world champions again, 24 years after they last lifted the trophy.