Brazil coach calls up new players for World Cup friendlies

With three months to go before the start of the World Cup, coach Carlo Ancelotti announced six new additions to the penultimate roster of the Brazilian men’s national football team, which will face France and Croatia in away friendlies on March 26 and 31 respectively.

Of the 26 players named, eight earned their first call-up to the seleção under the Italian coach – forwards Endrick, Rayan, and Igor Thiago; defenders Léo Pereira, Bremmer, and Ibañez; and midfielders Danilo and Gabriel Sara.

“It’s a list of players who are 100 percent fit, with everyone who’s currently playing – since we have some key injuries, like Militão, Bruno Guimarães, Estevão, and Rodrygo. We’re hoping for a speedy recovery for them. But this list includes only those who are physically ready, because we’re facing two major high-intensity matches in a really short timeframe, including the travel. So I decided to call up those who are 100 percent.”

Ancelotti also explained that he considered the players’ positions on the field and included players he doesn’t yet know well – such as Ibañez, Bremer, Rayan, Danilo, and Gabriel Sara. “It’s a last chance to get to know them and make a final list with as clear a picture as possible,” Ancelotti said.

At a press conference at the Brazilian Football Federation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Ancelotti revealed what he considers important to observe in first-timers during the training and match period of the FIFA international break.

“When we bring in new players, it’s not because we want to see how hard they work on the field – we already know. We want to see how they fit into our environment and what their character is like. That’s what we’ll be looking for in all new players. We know exactly how they’re playing, because we have evaluations of every player who is and isn’t on the roster, of every player who isn’t on any roster this year. On a technical level, we know everything; when it comes to character, I want to know more,” the coach stated.

A recurring absence from Ancelotti’s call-ups, Neymar could still be called up. The Italian coach had the chance to watch him in Sunday’s (15) match between Santos and Corinthians, which ended 1–1, and was emphatic when discussing what the forward needs to do to wear the yellow jersey again.

“It’s a physical assessment, not a technical one. Neymar is really good with the ball; he needs to improve physically. Because, for the coaching staff and for me, he isn’t at 100% of his potential. He has to work to reach full potential. That’s my opinion and that of the entire coaching staff who watch his games and will be watching his games in the coming days and months,” he noted.

Ancelotti pointed out that he can still call up new players to the national team until the final World Cup roster is announced, on May 18. With two months to go before the official roster is released, Ancelotti talked about what the Brazilian team currently lacks.

“We have some doubts about the defenders and the midfield. A few doubts up front. Then, we have to account for possible injuries that could occur during two really intense months of competition in Europe and in the Brasileirão. We have to be in good shape, focused on evaluating all the players. Those who aren’t on the list today could very well be on the final roster, that’s for sure,” he said.

Squad

Goalkeepers

Alisson – Liverpool (England)
Bento – Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
Ederson – Fenerbahçe (Turkey)

Defenders

Alex Sandro – Flamengo
Bremer – Juventus (Italy)
Danilo – Flamengo
Douglas Santos – Zenit (Russia)
Gabriel Magalhães – Arsenal (England)
Ibañez – Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia)
Léo Pereira – Flamengo
Marquinhos – PSG (France)
Wesley – Roma (Italy)

Midfielders

Andrey Santos – Chelsea (England)
Casemiro – Manchester United (England)
Danilo – Botafogo
Fabinho – Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia)
Gabriel Sara – Galatasaray (Turkey)

Forwards

Endrick – Lyon (France)
Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal (France)
Igor Thiago – Brentford (England)
João Pedro – Chelsea (England)
Luiz Henrique – Zenit (Russia)
Matheus Cunha – Manchester United (England)
Raphinha – Barcelona (Spain)
Rayan – Bournemouth (England)
Vinicius Jr. – Real Madrid (Spain)