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A fractured vertebra sustained in the dying embers of their 2014 FIFA World Cup quarter-final left the Selecao without Neymar's services for the ensuing semi, and quickly made way for what Luiz Felipe Scolari described was the worst loss in national team history.
Scolari, devoid of his best player, one who had produced five goal involvements in as many games, fielded an eleven severely outclassed from the first whistle; with Germany easing their way to the Maracana off the back of a 7-1 demolition.
It's a result that will live long in World Cup folklore, but, thankfully, it's not something Tite's squad will come close to experiencing in Qatar.
An ankle ligament injury saw Neymar limp off late in Brazil's 2-0 win over Serbia in Lusail, where two goals from Richarlison sealed his side's winning start to the 2022 tournament.
Neymar now faces a race to be fit for the knockout stages and while he remains "the star of the team", teammate Casemiro believes the quality at Tite's disposal should calm any concerns.
"He's the star of the team, who makes the difference," Casemiro explained to Brazilian newspaper Globo.
"But we have other similar players: Raphinha, Vini [Vinicius Junior], Richarlison. We have a wide range of options.
"Neymar is one of the best in the world, and unfortunately he will not be in the next game, but we have quality players to replace him…"
The five-time champions have been tipped by many to add to their record tally in Qatar, and the spread of stars squeezed into Tite's 26-man squad is a significant reason why.
In 2014, Scolari could only call upon Bernard in Neymar's absence, with an inexperienced Willian the only other like-for-like option on his bench. Those disastrous 90 minutes would be the former's last contribution in the canary yellow.
What Tite possesses, however, is a selection headache of a different kind, where Casemiro's suggestions are further supported by the presence of Gabriel Martinelli, Antony, Rodrygo and Gabriel Jesus - not to mention the possibility of Lucas Paqueta drifting up in favour of Fred at his six.
It's an embarrassment of riches, in truth, and arguably Brazil's most talented World Cup squad since 2006, when the likes of Kaka, Adriano, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho danced past defenders in Germany.
Tite is no stranger to life without Neymar, having led his nation to the Copa America title sans his most prized asset in 2019, and it's this same "team spirit" he hopes to tap into ahead of remaining group games against Switzerland and Cameroon.
"We have 26 players who have to be fit and in great shape," Tite told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "That's how we've been working. It shows why team spirit is important."
"Neymar is an extraordinary talent," he added. "But we are also relying on our other players as well.
"What I think about major talents is that they are players who do everything well and maybe in three opportunities they get them.
"Creativity is not constant. This talent comes up only two, three times in a match and Neymar has that ability.
"(But) there are other players. An assist from Vinicius [Junior], or creativity when finishing a play from Richarlison, a header from Pedro, a chance for Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha… they have this ability."
A win over Switzerland would all but secure Brazil's place in the Round of 16, and while it remains to be seen whether Neymar will make his return, the Canarinho appear far removed from their historic humiliation.
