Coach called in reinforcements due to the recent losses of right-back Vanderson and left-back Guilherme Arana
decided not to take any risks. This Friday (15), the coach called up at the last minute the full-backs Alex Telles, from Botafogo, and Dodô, from Fiorentina, for Brazil’s last game of the year, against , next Tuesday, in the South Qualifiers -Americanas of 2026. The coach called in reinforcements due to the recent casualties of right-back Vanderson and left-back Guilherme Arana. The former received his second yellow card in the 1-1 draw with Venezuela on Thursday night. And Arana suffered a sprain in his right ankle during training on Tuesday, in Belém
According to the CBF, both players will present themselves to the team this Friday, in Salvador, where the Brazilian delegation disembarked in the morning. On Tuesday, Brazil will face Uruguay at Arena Fonte Nova, as the national team farewells this season. Vanderson had been playing as a starter on the right side. Until the last-minute call-up, there was a doubt as to whether Dorival would choose to return the experienced Danilo to the starting position against the Uruguayans. On the left side, the holder is Abner. And Arana was the immediate reserve.
This is Telles’ second call-up with Dorival. After playing in the 2022 World Cup, the full-back returned to the national team on October’s FIFA Date. However, he had been passed over for the call-up for the November games. Dodô, in turn, was called up to the main team for the first time, after previous calls for the Olympic team. A graduate of Coritiba, he is 25 years old and has already played for Shakhtar Donetsk and Vitória de Guimarães before joining Fiorentina from 2022 onwards.
After Thursday’s draw, the players will have the day off and will return on Saturday for lunch. The first training session for the match with Uruguay is scheduled for 5pm on Saturday, at the Barradão stadium. Tuesday’s match will mark the team’s return to the capital of Bahia. The team has not played in the city since June 2019, when they drew goalless with Venezuela, at Arena Fonte Nova, in the Copa América. With the draw away from home, Brazil has 17 points and temporarily occupies third place in the South American Qualifiers.
Published by Luisa Cardoso
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
