Alisson Becker is a key goalkeeper for Brazil, praised for his all-around skills and leadership. He has achieved significant success with Liverpool and the national team, but injury concerns remain as Brazil aims for a strong performance in the 2026 World Cup.
Mentioned in this story
As a soccer nation, Brazil havenât always been known for goalkeepers. Itâs not that there havenât been some brilliant ones for the Seleção over the years, legends like RogĂ©rio Ceni and ClĂĄudio Taffarel, but the squad has always been built first in the service of one generation after another of legendary attackers. *Joga bonito*. Over the past decade, though, thereâs a case goalkeeper has been their strongest position, with two of the best in the world available for selection. Long-serving Liverpool star Alisson and treble-winning Ederson fought for minutes with their national team while battling each season in the Premier League. With Ederson taking a step down by moving to Turkish side Fenerbahçe, itâs now Alissonâs job to lose. By any measure, Alisson is elite. Following Liverpoolâs 2019 Champions League triumph, the 33-year-old swept the goalkeeping awards and finished seventh in voting for the Ballon dâOr, an award only won once by a goalkeeperâand only four other times by defenders since first being awarded in 1956. Alisson also backstopped Brazil to 2019 Copa America glory, their only major trophy since winning the Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup, and he won the Premier League twice with Liverpool in 2019-20 and 2024-25. The question has never been if Alisson is one of the best, itâs where he slots in the pecking order.
Alisson helped Brazil win the 2019 Copa America and is known for his contributions in major tournaments, including the World Cup.
If Alisson stays fit, his skills could be crucial for Brazil as they seek to improve their World Cup performance after years of disappointment.
Alisson is known for his shot-stopping ability, commanding presence in the penalty area, and exceptional ball distribution.
Alisson has been prone to injuries, including a hamstring strain that affected his availability during the 2025-26 season.
Foster Griffin struck out a season-high nine batters over seven innings, leading the Nationals to a 3-2 victory against the Marlins. Jacob Young contributed with a two-run homer in the first inning.
Misiorowski shines with 12 strikeouts as Brewers defeat Yankees 6-0
Brooklyn Nets set to select Caleb Wilson over Darryn Peterson in 2026 NBA Draft.
Shakira Austin leads Mystics to 68-65 win over Tempo in opener
The Philadelphia 76ers surprised teachers and healthcare workers by giving away 500 free tickets for Game 3 of their playoff series against the New York Knicks. Recipients included educators from Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey, as well as healthcare workers from local hospitals.
Packers officially cut ties with Super Bowl champion kicker Brandon McManus
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
A goalkeeperâs first job is to stop shots. There are few in the game better than Alisson, with the player typically in the discussion just after Italyâs Gianluigi Donnarumma and Belgiumâs Thibaut Courtois. A goalkeeperâs second job is to be a commanding presence in the penalty area, both physically and in his ability to help marshal the defense. Again, there are few better than Alisson at doing that, or when it comes to fighting through traffic on corners to collect crosses. In the modern game, there is great importance placed on being good on the ball. To be able to play with it at his feet even when put under pressure; to be able to distribute it down pitch and start counter-attacks. Spoiler: Alissonâs one of the very best in the world on that front, too. Few would rank Alisson as the absolute best in any category, but being as good at *everything* as he is isnât normal and makes him key for club and country. However, over the years Alisson has proven quite injury prone. Fitness is his one weakness. He regularly misses time each year with various injuries, including much of the end of 2025-26 with a hamstring strain.
Brazil are a soccer superpower, but theyâre in the midst of the longest run of frustration and futility in their history. Following the World Cup in 2002, theyâve failed to reach the final in five tournaments since. In four, theyâve been knocked out at the quarterfinal stage. Their best finish, fourth in 2014, came with the World Cup in Brazilâand saw them infamously demolished by Germany in the semifinal. That 7-1 defeat is widely considered one of the most embarrassing in history given the stage and Brazilâs stature. There was that 2019 Copa America, with Alisson earning the Golden Glove as top goalkeeper, but itâs been a lean millennium. If he can stay fit now, Brazil wonât have to worry about one very important position. Alisson could be pivotal in helping them to their best result since 2002. The bigger questions for Brazil are at the other end of the pitch and whether this generation of attackers can deliver.