Fans can't believe what Brazil's players did to their own manager during Copa America defeat, it speaks volumes

Fans were left stunned by what Brazil's players did to their own manager during their final match at the 2024 Copa America.

On Saturday evening Brazil bowed out of the Copa America at the quarter-final stage with a penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay.

Brazil failed to impress during the group stage, and paid the price for finishing second in their group by coming up against an in-form Uruguay.

The match was a feisty affair that saw Uruguay's Nahitan Nandez sent off for a poor challenge on Brazilian star Rodrygo, but neither side could break the deadlock and avoid penalties.

Brazil lost the shootout 4-2, with Eder Militao's penalty saved by Sergio Rochet and Douglas Luiz hitting the post.

Uruguay converted four of their five attempts to set up a semi-final meeting with Colombia on Wednesday.

Team unity and morale plays a huge part in the psychology of penalty shootouts, as a good team spirit means players have greater confidence when they walk up to the penalty spot.

Before the first kick was taken, fans noticed that Brazil's players appeared to exclude their manager, Dorival Junior, from the pre-shootout huddle, suggesting a rift between players and coach.

Footage showed the 62-year-old coach trying to address his players and give them guidance ahead of the shootout. At one point he even raised his hand in an attempt to speak, but he appeared to be ignored.

On social media, fans were less than impressed.

"The team left Dorival out of the conversation before the penalties. He couldn't join the conversation. One of the saddest scenes in world football," one fan commented.

Another wrote: "The coach ALWAYS goes to the centre of the circle and the players listen to his instructions. What a lack of respect."

A third fan wrote: "Everyone thinks they're dance stars. Lack of discipline has always been the thorn in the Brazilian side, and I never thought I would see something as anti-football as collectively ignoring the coach, much less coming from Brazil!"

It wasn't lost on fans that while Dorival was struggling to get the attention of his players, Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa had the uninterrupted attention of his stars as he clearly explained who he wanted to take his side's penalties.

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