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 harm. Brazil has been with out its talisman since October 2023, when he tore his left ACL and meniscus whereas on worldwide obligation.
“I attempted to pick out gamers who’re in fine condition,” Ancelotti mentioned on Monday. “Neymar had an harm lately. “Everybody is aware of that Neymar is a vital participant, he all the time has been and all the time can be.”
Tottenham ahead Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro haven’t performed for the nationwide group since October 2023.
Requested about Casemiro, who has made 75 appearances for Brazil and performed for Ancelotti at Real Madrid, the Italian supervisor mentioned: “In my view, he is a good participant. I used to be fortunate to be with him, I believe the nationwide group wants this kind of participant who has charisma, persona, expertise. Brazil has all the time had plenty of expertise.
“In fashionable soccer, you need to add angle, dedication, sacrifice, and Casemiro has that. And plenty of of those that have been known as up have that.”
Antony, who has loved a formidable mortgage spell at Real 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 supplied 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 group.
“It is arduous to say, as a result of Vini hasn’t proven his finest aspect but,” he mentioned. “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 group, and this will likely have an effect on their pure considering, within the sense that typically they really feel plenty of stress to carry out nicely. This may increasingly forestall them from performing nicely. I’m completely satisfied that Vini will present his true colours together with his nationwide group.”
Brazil has but to qualify for subsequent 12 months’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).