Online Reporter
BRAZIL coach Carlo Ancelotti has left Neymar out of his squad for the second time since taking over as manager of the national football team.
Real Madrid forwards Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo were not named in the team, while West Ham United’s Lucas Paquetá earned a first call up since being cleared by the English FA in July on charges of match-fixing.
Paquetá has already played five qualifiers in the campaign, but not for Brazil since Ancelotti took charge in May. The coach said he wants to get to know him better. Ancelotti said on Monday that Neymar, along with several other players, needs to work his way back to full fitness ahead of next summer’s World Cup, with Brazil having already clinched qualification.
“Everyone knows Neymar, the national team and all the fans in Brazil,” Ancelotti said on Monday. “Neymar, like everyone else, needs to get into good physical condition to be able to help the team do well and try to do their best in the World Cup. These two games are the last games of the qualifiers, and we need to finish this phase well.” Brazil play their final two qualifiers on September 4 at home against Chile and September 9 away to Bolivia. Neymar’s club side Santos are enduring a challenging season in Brazil’s top flight, sitting in 15th place — two points ahead of the relegation spots.
FULL BRAZIL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento and Hugo Souza.
Defenders: Alex Ribeiro, Alex Sandro, Caio Henrique, Douglas Santos, Fabrício Bruno, Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos, Vanderson and Wesley.
Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Joelinton and Lucas Paquetá.
Forwards: Estêvão, Gabriel Martinelli, João Pedro, Kaio Jorge, Luiz Henrique, Matheus Cunha, Raphinha and Richarlison. — Associated Press/
Online Reporter