Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti, 65, announced on Monday (26) the 25 players called for matches against Ecuador and Paraguay in early June by the South American qualifiers.
He was asked about Neymar, 33, absent, and explained that he gave preference to players with better physical conditions. The Santos striker again played last week, after a period of removal for injury, and in both matches since the return came only in the second half.
“Brazil has many players with talent. In Neymar’s specific case, we obviously count on him in the national team. Brazil has its best version. He returned to Brazil to prepare for the World Cup, and we have all the interest in calling him for the World Cup. I spoke to him this morning to explain to him, and he was in agreement with us,” said Ancelotti.
Among the absent are three of the four athletes who had been commanded by the Italian at Real Madrid. Rodrygo and Militão were nominally cited among some examples of injured, while Endrick, 18, was used to illustrate that it is necessary to be calm with young players.
“We have to be patient with young people, they are not completely formed,” he warned.
Rodrygo had an injury three weeks ago and had been out of the last three matches of the club. People close to the player said he is physically and mentally recovering from a exhausting season.
According to these people, he came to a stapling limit and, because he was not 100%, understood that he could not deliver what he wants for both Real Madrid and the selection at this time.
Éder Militão suffered a serious knee injury in November and has not yet played again. Gabriel Magalhães, from Arsenal, should only play at the beginning of next season.
Newcastle, and Ederson, goalkeeper of Manchester City were also cited Joelinton. The first one was injured at the end of last month and was out of the rest of the season, but the second was on the pitch throughout the match against Fulham on Sunday (25).
See the list of summoned by Ancelotti:
Goalkeepers:
- Alisson (Liverpool)
- Bento (AL-NASSR)
- Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defenders:
- Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
- Alexsandro (Lille)
- Lucas Beraldo (PSG)
- Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan)
- Danilo (Flamengo)
- Leo 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)
Attackers:
- Anthony (bétis)
- Stephen (Palmeiras)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton)
- Rappinha (Barcelona)
- Richarlison (Tottenham)
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
