New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has left Neymar out of his first squad and has introduced again Casemiro, Richarlison and Antony for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil performs at Ecuador on June 5 earlier than internet hosting Paraguay on June 10.
Brazil’s all-time main scorer, Neymar featured in Santos‘ previous two video games after recovering from a muscular damage. Brazil has been with out its talisman since October 2023, when he tore his left ACL and meniscus whereas on worldwide responsibility.
“I attempted to pick out gamers who’re in fine condition,” Ancelotti mentioned on Monday. “Neymar had an damage not too long ago. “Everybody is aware of that Neymar is an important participant, he all the time has been and all the time will likely be.”
Tottenham ahead Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro haven’t performed for the nationwide staff since October 2023.
Requested about Casemiro, who has made 75 appearances for Brazil and performed for Ancelotti at Actual Madrid, the Italian supervisor mentioned: “In my view, he is a superb participant. I used to be fortunate to be with him, I feel the nationwide staff wants one of these participant who has charisma, character, expertise. Brazil has all the time had a number of expertise.
“In fashionable soccer, you need to add perspective, dedication, sacrifice, and Casemiro has that. And lots of of those that have been referred to as up have that.”
Antony, who has loved a powerful mortgage spell at Actual Betis from Man United, can be within the squad. He’ll face competitors for taking part in time with Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior.
Raphinha scored 34 targets and offered 22 assists in 54 video games for LaLiga champions Barça this season.
Vinícius performed for Ancelotti at Madrid and completed because the Ballon d’Or runner-up in October. The ahead has scored solely six targets in 39 appearances since making his Brazil debut in 2019, however Ancelotti is satisfied he’ll ship for the nationwide staff.
“It is onerous to say, as a result of Vini hasn’t proven his greatest aspect but,” he mentioned. “If that hasn’t occurred, it’s going to, as a result of he is a rare participant, hard-working and a fighter.
“The reality is that Brazilian gamers are very keen on their nationwide staff, and this will likely have an effect on their pure considering, within the sense that typically they really feel a number of strain to carry out effectively. This will forestall them from performing effectively. I’m completely satisfied that Vini will present his true colours along with his nationwide staff.”
Brazil has but to qualify for subsequent yr’s World Cup and is fourth within the South American group, having misplaced 5 of 14 video games.
Brazil squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians).
Defenders: Alexsandro (Flamengo), Alexsandro Ribeiro (Lille), Beraldo (PSG), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Danilo (Flamengo), Léo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo).
Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Éderson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo).
Forwards: Antony (Betis), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinícius Júnior (Actual Madrid).
