5 Brazil Players Whose World Cup Places Are Under Threat

The 2013 Confederations Cup has drawn the battle lines for the fight to secure a place in Luiz Felipe Scolari's 23-man squad for Brazil 2014.

The Selecao have an incredible depth of talent at their disposal, so places in the national setup are often only afforded to those who are at the peak of their powers.

It's a volatile position to be in, as a mistake or a poor performance can easily see a player dropped from the team and swiftly replaced by another hungrier candidate.

With the 2014 World Cup on the horizon, the fight for places in the Selecao is tougher than ever, and individual mistakes are even more costly.

Already there are players whose World Cup hopes have taken a blow as Scolari tinkers with his squad at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

But with another season to go, there is plenty of scope for change, and Bleacher Report examines the players who are most vulnerable ahead of Brazil 2014.

Ramires

Curiously left out of Scolari's Confederations Cup squad this summer, Ramires has a lot of work to do to claw his way back into the Selecao.

With 34 caps so far for Brazil, the 26-year-old looked set to be a permanent fixture in the national setup, but his fortunes have declined since former boss Mano Menezes was sacked.

Ramires was often the first-choice midfielder alongside Paulinho in a partnership that often frustrated supporters during Menezes' reign.

But injuries and the form of rivals Luiz Gustavo, Fernando and Hernanes have seen the Chelsea star drop out of the squad altogether.

The Brazilian has another season to impress the Brazil boss, but with plenty of competition for places in Brazil's 'double pivot,' Ramires will have to step up his game.

Luckily, he has the perfect stage to do so after club boss Jose Mourinho expressed his admiration for the dynamic midfielder.

Lucas Leiva

Lucas Leiva has had an unfortunate 2012, having been ruled out for much of it due to successive injuries, and as a result is currently not in Scolari's plans for Brazil 2014.

The Liverpool midfielder has been in action since the start of the year, but his form has failed to match the high standards he maintained before his absence.

For a long while, Lucas was the first-choice defensive midfielder in the 'double pivot,' but like Ramires, he looks to be consigned to the fringes with the emergence of Luiz Gustavo, Fernando and Hernanes as contenders.

The Reds star will need a swift return to his very best form to be considered for a place in Scolari's squad at the 2014 World Cup.

Under Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, Lucas looks set to take centre stage once again in the engine room, and there will be hopes that the Brazilian can rediscover his finest form.

But with rumours of interest in powerful Celtic midfielder Wanyama and Gremio's Matheus Biteco, Lucas could be struggling to pin down a place in Liverpool's first team, let alone Brazil's, if he can't return to his best form.

Kaka

Kaka is at a crossroads. The 31-year-old playmaker is currently on the fringes at Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho's reign.

The Brazilian was considered for selection under Scolari before the Confederations Cup before losing out to fellow playmaker Ronaldinho and was ultimately overlooked for a place on the squad.

Now Kaka has to make a tough decision regarding his future. Does he stay and gamble on his relationship with new manager Carlo Ancelotti, or does he find first-team football elsewhere?

His choice will likely determine his fate with regards to the Selecao. At this moment in time, he is well behind Ronaldinho in terms of form.

But the stage is set for a return to the Selecao, and Kaka just needs to grab this opportunity to impress for either Real Madrid or his new employers. 

On form, the former AC Milan star is still one of the finest playmakers on the global stage, and Scolari would not overlook the opportunity to take a resurgent Kaka to Brazil 2014.

2013/14 could be a make-or-break year for the former AC Milan star.

Ronaldinho

Much like Kaka, Ronaldinho has one last shot at World Cup glory in Brazil 2014. Having rediscovered his form for Atletico Mineiro, he was still omitted from the squad for the Confederations Cup.

Despite Scolari announcing to the press that there would be a straight fight between the two players for a place in the squad, the Brazil boss decided against taking either of them.

At this moment in time, with Kaka agonising over his next move, Ronaldinho is best placed to challenge for a place at Brazil 2014.

The Atletico Mineiro man simply needs to continue his fine performances for the Belo Horizonte outfit and grab any opportunities that come his way.

With such a close relationship with Scolari, Ronaldinho may be given another chance before next summer, and he needs to seize it.

There could still be a swan song in the former Barcelona star yet.

Hulk

Unlike the rest of the players in this list, Hulk is currently included in Scolari's plans, having travelled with the squad to the Confederations Cup.

But the Zenit St Petersburg forward is in danger of being dropped from the first team after some remarkably poor performances which have angered the Selecao supporters.

Hulk has disappointed on the right wing for Brazil, and for some time, fans have booed the Brazilian whenever he is perceived to be performing below his ability.

With pressure coming from the bench in form of the extraordinarily talented Lucas Moura, there is a school of thought that the PSG star should be on the team ahead of Hulk.

And if Scolari were to make the change, Hulk could see himself out of his plans unless he steps up to the plate.

At this moment in time, Hulk is on a slippery slope and could easily find himself out of the squad for Brazil 2014.

The Brazilian is arguably the most vulnerable player in the year ahead after disappointing so many times for the Selecao.