Seeing the list of 25 summoned by Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazilian team, for the two final games of the 2026 World Cup, some presence and other absences were promptly noted.
First, the absences of three well -known strikers: Neymar (Santos), Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo (both Real Madrid).
The Italian explained the non -call of Neymar, admittedly the main player of the country from 2011, due to an injury (thigh) he had last week. Or would it be on the list, because Carleto says he likes to live with the athletes beyond the four lines-to vacate them like people-and he never had it with the 10 Santos.
About the non -inclusions of Rodrygo and Vini Jr., the coach did not speak, but it is easy to reach conclusions.
The first, to whom the former coach of Real knows well, is in bad phase. He did not make a good first half in the Spanish team and currently fight for ownership.
The second is suspended against Chile (September 4, a Thursday, in Maracanã) and, as Ancelotti also knows him well and Brazil is already classified, preferred not to wear it with a trip to altitude Bolivian (the match of the 9th, a Tuesday, will be in El Alto, 4.150 m above sea level).
With vacancies open in the attack, one of the presence repaired: Kaio Jorge, 23, from Cruzeiro, scorer of the Brazilian Championship. Very deserved. He is the best active player in Brazil.
Missed Ancelotti opening a place in midfield and including Matheus Pereira, very close to his colleague. From the fox, will have a new chance in the national team the defender Fabrício Bruno, who went well at the beginning of the Dorival Junior era.
But the most intriguing presence, I would say even mysterious, is Douglas Santos, 31. Brazilian starter Olympic champion – August 2016, nine years ago, in Rio de Janeiro. And a single match for the main national team in May of that year, friendly against Panama when the coach in Brazil was still Dunga.
After gold in Rio, Douglas Santos left Atletico-MG and went to play in Europe, in German Hamburg, and since 2019 defends Russia’s Zenit.
Away from international competitions due to the Ukraine war, Russian teams can only play local championships. Ancelotti should be a great fan of the premier League – the Russian, which is second line – to be able to say how the left back performance has been. After all, to call, you have to see playing several times, right?
Unfortunately, no one in the post-convening interview questioned him about Douglas Santos. All at the headquarters of the Brazilian Football Confederation seemed fascinated with Portuguese, so far Be-a-Bá level, of “Mister”, and more interested in knowing Neymar.
They will say that Douglas Santos has experience. If that’s it, there is Reinaldo (former Sao Paulo and Grêmio), 35, one of the pillars of Mirassol’s surprising campaign in Brazilian, Alex Telles, 32, champion with Botafogo da Libertadores-2024 and present at the 2022 World Cup, and Guilherme Arana, 28, who also won an Olympic gold in Tokyo-2020.
In fact, it is missing left tops to Brazil. We don’t have a Roberto Carlos, a Marcelo, a white. And if you are not given a chance in selecting someone different, that someone will not be able to show that it is different in the selection.
Not to call Luciano Juba, Ancelotti, who was on Sunday (24) in Bahia 2 x 0 Santos and saw the player of the Soteropolitan team play well and make a beautiful goal, must dislike very offensive sides.
The holder of Carleto is Alex Sandro, 34, who was injured in Flamengo 8 x 0 victory for the Brazilian on the night of the call and may be cut.
Douglas remain “mystery” saints and the median Caio Henrique (Monaco), 28, another called to position. We cross our fingers.
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