Newly-appointed manager of the Brazilian men’s national team, Carlo Ancelotti, has left out Real Madrid forward Rodrygo and Santos attacker Neymar Jr. from his first Selecao squad since assuming his new role.
The Italian tactician on Monday announced his first list of players called up for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro making a return.
Ancelotti already worked with Casemiro at Real Madrid, and has handed the former Porto man a recall to the national team, which will be his first invite since October 2023, when the Selecao lost 2-0 against Uruguay.
Regarding the absence of Neymar and Rodrygo, Ancelotti explained that these and others, such as Endrick, are because of recovery times due to injuries, adding that the players will get other chances to make his team.
Full Brazil squad list:
Goalkeepers
Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr) and Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defenders
Alexsandro (Lille), Beraldo (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Wesley (Al-Nassr) and Vanderson (Monaco)
Midfielders
Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta) and Gerson (Flamengo)
Forwards
Estevao (Palmeiras), Antony (Real Betis), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolves), Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona) and Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur).