New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has named his first Selecao squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, leaving out superstar Neymar.
The 65-year-old has been unveiled by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Monday and also released his first squad, making several changes to previous selections.
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One of the big talking points was the absence of Neymar, who returned to his boyhood club Santos but had missed recent games due to a hamstring injury.
“I tried to select players who are in good shape,” Ancelotti said as per ESPN.
“Neymar had an injury recently. Everyone knows that Neymar is a very important player, he always has been and always will be.”
Meanwhile, Ancelotti recalled the likes of Richarlison, Antony and Casemiro, with the latter returning for the first time since October 2023.
“In my opinion, he is a great player,” Ancelotti, who worked with the Manchester United midfielder at Real Madrid, added.
“I was lucky to be with him, I think the national team needs this type of player who has charisma, personality, talent. Brazil has always had a lot of talent.
“In modern soccer, you have to add attitude, commitment, sacrifice, and Casemiro has that. And many of those who have been called up have that.”
Brazil currently sit in fourth place of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having won just six of their 14 games.
Below is Ancelotti’s first Brazil squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians).
Defenders: Alexsandro (Flamengo), Alexsandro Ribeiro (Lille), Beraldo (PSG), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Danilo (Flamengo), Léo 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).
Forwards: Antony (Betis), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).
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