October 10, 2024. Brazil and Chile, both at risk of not going to the 2026 World Cup due to the weak campaign in South American qualifiers, duel at the National Stadium of Santiago.
Just after 2 minutes, Vargas opens the count to the hosts, leaving Dorival Junior’s selection – Neymar’s disallowed (in a long recovery of surgery) and without great confidence after losing from Paraguay in the previous round – very early in a bad situation.
Fortunately for the coach and those who cheer for Brazil, the turn left, with goals from the Botafoguenses Igor Jesus (center forward), at the end of the first half, and Luiz Henrique (striker on the right), who left the bank at the end of the second half.
Luiz Henrique, who in December would become Botafogo’s hero in the Libertadores decision against Atletico-MG, would still mark, once again entering as a replacement, in the next match of the selection, a 4-0 win.
The performances against Chileans and Peruvians surrendered to the duo new call, for the games against Venezuela and Uruguay in November.
This time, in the 1-1 draws before the two opponents, they did not shine, as no one from Brazil shone, except for Raphinha and Gerson, a goal each.
The long break until the next rounds in the qualifiers – they cheer six, and the first in the series will be this month, against Forte Colombia and Argentina, the current world champion – changed the head of Dorival, who dismissed Igor Jesus and Luiz Henrique, saviors five months ago.
March 6, 2025. In the post-convening interview, the coach did not talk about these absences, as he was not questioned by the journalists present at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation.
This journalists were urged by Rodrigo Caetano, CBF’s director of teams, not asking questions about who was not called, but only about those on the list. (Bad a leader, whatever, want to direct an interview.)
Without Dorival’s Word, the confabular analysts remain about the reasons for Igor Jesus, 24, and Luiz Henrique, 24, have been deprived.
Igor Jesus fell a lot of performance from 2024 to 2025. In eight games this year, by three different competitions (Rio, Brazil Super Cup and South American Recopa), he scored a single goal. Very little for a center forward.
It is fair to leave him out and give Matheus Cunha, 25, from Wolverhampton, and João Pedro, 23, from Brighton, who are good seasons in England.
Luiz Henrique possibly lost the place among the 23rd of the national team due to the absence of the lawns in 2025. Lack of pace of play.
Negotiating with Russia’s Zenit in January, he played in the local championship only once, on Saturday (8), as the tournament is in three months recess due to the harsh winter in the extreme eastern Europe.
It will not help Luiz Henrique, from now on, the fact that he operates in Russia, evil due to the war with Ukraine, which has enhanced the country of the country of European competitions (are sanctioned), and organizes a low visibility championship.
The former Botafoguense is in a terrible showcase, unlike competitors for the position, cases of Savinho, 20, Manchester City (which has alternated good and bad performances), and Stephen, 17, from Palmeiras and soon Chelsea, very candidate to become a star-is for some.
Thus, it may be that saving Brazil at a given moment give credit to certain athletes, but it is evident that, for Dorival, this credit is perishable.
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