Fall of South American giants Brazil, Argentina and rise of Chile, Uruguay and Colombia

“I cried watching that game and not just because of the score. I cried because I do not know what happened to the joy of Brazilian football.”

Pele’s heartfelt reaction to World Cup host nation’s humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany, echoed the thoughts of the entire country.

Like most, he cannot understand what has happened to a nation which awed the world with sensational Samba swagger at major tournaments gone by — most notably in 1970 and 1982.

While the three-time World Cup winner his hopeful of a turnaround in fortunes for a side which now possess more grit than flair, he is not expectant.

Pele added: “Maybe this summer in the Olympics and Copa America, we can remind the world of how Brazil plays soccer.

“But it will not be easy. I fear we have lost our way.”

It is unheard of for Brazil to go into any major tournament without being one of the favourites, let alone in one including just teams for the same continent.

Brazil made three World Cup finals in a row between 1994 and 2002, dazzling with the likes of Romario, Bebeto, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

Now, aside from Neymar — who is going to the Olympics rather than the Copa America — what other truly world class player do they have?

Nine years without a major honour is Brazil’s longest drought since 1989.

And what about South America’s other ’giant’?

Argentina’s major honours since last their Copa America success 23 YEARS ago are just two Olympic gold medals.

Lionel Messi and Co. have been runners up in three of the last four editions.

While they reached the same stage at least year’s World Cup without ever impressing throughout the tournament.

Argentina have no shortage of strikers — as well as Messi, they have the Premier League’s best player in Sergio Aguero, the in-form Gonzalo Higuain and Paris Saint-German’s Angel Di Maria.

But what about on the rest of the park?

Javier Mascherano has been a very good player but, at the age of 31, is he still as imperious?

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero has shown with his erratic performances for Manchester United that he cannot be relied on.

The pair’s rivals have their main stars more evenly spread out across the park.

A little like Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone, the likes of Chile and Uruguay rely heavily on the team ethic and tireless running rather than the brilliance of individual stars.

Last year’s winners have Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez as their main attacking threat, while Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel provide the grit in the middle of the park.

And goalkeeper, Carlos Bravo has never let Barcelona down in between the sticks as he won five trophies in the past two years.

The 2011 winners, Uruguay are set out similarly.

Arguably Europe’s best player on current form, Luis Suarez — alongside Edinson Cavani — leads the line.

While Atletico defender Diego Godin provides the steal at the back.

Their togetherness was evident at the last World Cup as they united in the wake of Suarez’s ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.

Colombia, who last won the Copa America in 2001, were one of the easiest on eye in Brazil, despite having to deal with the absence of their star striker, Falcao.

James Rodriguez stepped up and won the Golden Boot.

Attackers Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), Carlos Bacca (Milan) and defender Jeison Murillo (Inter) have all enjoyed stellar seasons in Serie A.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica were arguably most impressive of the Copa America Centenario 2016 competitors at the last World Cup.

Under Jorge Luis Pinto, they finished top of a group which included England, Italy and Uruguay — notching up sensational wins over the latter two.

Costa Rica then eliminated Greece, before being cruelly being cruelly beaten by Holland on penalties.

Now under the guidance of Oscar Ramirez, the entertainers from two years ago shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Joel Campbell has been one of the highlights of an otherwise disappointing season for Arsenal, displacing Theo Walcott in the first-team with his impressive performances.