The Brazilian team has two more absences in defense before the FIFA friendlies in March, with the injury of left-back Alex Sandro, from Flamengo, and defender Gabriel Magalhães, from Arsenal, the CBF announced this Monday (23).
For the side, coach Carlo Ancelotti called up Kaiki, from Cruzeiro. With five names already available for the defense — Bremer, Danilo, Ibañez, Léo Pereira and Marquinhos — Magalhães will not have a replacement called for the friendlies against France, next Thursday (26), in Boston, and Croatia, on March 31, in Orlando.
Alex Sandro suffered a muscle injury to the back of his right thigh on Sunday (22), in Flamengo’s 1-1 draw with Corinthians in São Paulo, in the Brazilian Championship.
The full-back felt pain in the first half and was replaced by Ayrton Lucas at half-time. After the game, he underwent imaging tests that confirmed the injury, the Rio club said in a statement.
Defender Gabriel Magalhães complained of pain in his right knee after the English League Cup final game against Manchester City.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson also suffered an injury last week and was replaced by Corinthians’ Hugo Souza.
The friendlies against France and Croatia are part of the team’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which will be played from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
