Ancelotti has just announced his Brazil NT squad list for the World Cup. Here is the full list of 26 players:
Goalkeepers:
- Alisson (Liverpool)
- Ederson (Fenerbahçe)
- Weverton (Grêmio)
Defenders:
- Alexsandro (Flamengo)
- Bremer (Juventus)
- Danilo (Flamengo)
- Douglas Santos (Zenit)
- Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
- Ibañez (Al-Ahli)
- Léo Pereira (Flamengo)
- Marquinhos (PSG)
- Wesley (Roma)
Midfielders:
- Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle)
- Casemiro (Manchester United)
- Danilo Santos (Botafogo)
- Fabinho (Al-Ahli)
- Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards:
- Endrick (Lyon/Real Madrid)
- Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
- Igor Thiago (Brentford)
- Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
- Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
- Neymar (Santos)
- Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Rayan (Bournemouth)
- Vini Jr (Real Madrid)
Definitely the biggest question was whether Ancelotti would call up Neymar, especially since the player had never been included in any of the Italian’s previous squad lists.
Neymar started the year recovering from a serious injury and was racing against time to be fit for the World Cup. He was involved in significant controversy over the past month
after a confrontation with his teammate Robinho Jr. — yes, the son of former Real Madrid player Robinho (Robinho is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in Brazil for the rape of a woman). However, players such as Casemiro and Raphinha publicly campaigned Neymar’s call-up, with Raphinha even saying: “He’s the man for the sixth star.”
After the last FIFA break, per reports, Ancelotti had only doubts on the remaining two spots between three players: Paquetá, Igor Thiago and Endrick. But Neymar became a more serious possibility after a series of games he was able to play for Santos. With the absence of Rodrygo and Estevão due to injuries, many considered Neymar a good option to be called.
A very important absence is Real Madrid’s CB Militão, who would likely feature as right-back, despite also calling two natural right full-backs. Ancelotti previously tested Ibañez as right-back and he was called in Militão’s place.
Ancelotti has renewed his contract with CBF until the 2030 World Cup.
