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 play at Ecuador on June 5 earlier than internet hosting Paraguay on June 10.
Brazil’s all-time main scorer, Neymar featured in Santos’ final two video games after recovering from a muscular harm. Brazil have been with out their talisman since October 2023, when he tore his left ACL and meniscus whereas on worldwide responsibility.
“I attempted to pick gamers who’re in good condition,” Ancelotti stated on Monday. “Neymar had an harm not too long ago. “Everybody is aware of that Neymar is a vital participant, he at all times has been and at all times shall be.”
Tottenham ahead Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro haven’t performed for the nationwide workforce since October 2023.
Requested about Casemiro, who has made 75 appearances for Brazil and performed for Ancelotti at Actual Madrid, the Italian supervisor stated: “For my part, he is a superb participant. I used to be fortunate to be with him, I feel the nationwide workforce wants one of these participant who has charisma, character, expertise. Brazil has at all times had lots of expertise.
“In fashionable soccer, you must add angle, dedication, sacrifice, and Casemiro has that. And lots of of those that have been known as up have that.”
Antony, who has loved a formidable mortgage spell at Actual Betis from Man United, can be within the squad. He’ll face competitors for enjoying 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 workforce.
“It is exhausting to say, as a result of Vini hasn’t proven his finest aspect but,” he stated. “If that hasn’t occurred, it should, as a result of he is a unprecedented participant, hard-working and a fighter.
“The reality is that Brazilian gamers are very keen on their nationwide workforce, and this may increasingly have an effect on their pure pondering, within the sense that generally they really feel lots of stress to carry out effectively. This will likely forestall them from performing effectively. I’m completely satisfied that Vini will present his true colours along with his nationwide workforce.”
Brazil have but to qualify for subsequent yr’s World Cup and are 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), Vinicius Jr (Actual Madrid).
