Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the upcoming international break landed, and the biggest news isn’t who’s in, it’s who got left out. Fans are already blowing up social media over some shocking omissions for the matches against Japan and Singapore. Seriously, the chatter is all about the players Ancelotti decided to leave home, and for some, the reasons just don’t add up.
The “One Club” Rule and Injured Stars Leave Big Names Out
Right off the bat, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) laid down some ground rules that messed with the roster. They flat-out avoided calling up players from Flamengo and Palmeiras, who are locked in a battle for the Brasileirão title. Flamengo alone had four players on the preliminary list,Emerson Royal, Paquetá, Samuel Lino, and Pedro,who ultimately got cut. Plus, there was a strict limit of only one call-up per Brazilian club represented in the squad. That’s a wild move when you’re trying to build the best team, isn’t it? Adding to the mix, João Pedro and Marquinhos are out with injuries, and Ancelotti apparently feels no need to “test” veteran goalkeeper Alisson. So, some of the exclusions make sense, but others are leaving a lot of people scratching their heads.
Major Talent Left On The Sidelines
Now for the real head-scratchers, the guys whose omissions have absolutely sparked the most discussion. We’re talking about serious talent here:
* **Lucas Arcanjo (Vitória):** This guy is one of the busiest goalkeepers in the Brasileirão, literally making the difference in keeping Vitória out of the relegation zone. Fans are questioning his omission even more with the inclusion of Lucas Perri and Bento. You gotta wonder, what more does a keeper have to do?
* **Luciano Juba (Bahia):** A nailed-on starter and standout for Bahia, Juba was even tipped for the World Cup until an injury derailed him. He’s been on fire, maintained his high standards, and has *11 goals* in the Brasileirão alone this season, yet he still hasn’t earned a call-up since that World Cup injury. That’s a tough break.
* **Kaiki Bruno (Como):** He’s not a regular starter for Fàbregas’s side, but this former Cruzeiro left-back is already making an impression abroad with a goal and two assists in just nine games. He’s getting a ton of praise, but not a Brazil call-up.
* **Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro):** This dude is Cruzeiro’s No. 10, and he ended up “losing out” because of that one-player-per-Brazilian-club limit. He’s stacked up 14 goals and 12 assists this season. To think a rule like that could sideline a player putting up those numbers, especially when he only has one senior Brazil appearance to his name, is just wild.
* **Gabigol (Santos):** The Santos striker is having an *insane* 2026, dropping 25 goals and ten assists this year. Ancelotti even said he’s “keeping an eye” on the No. 9, but apparently not enough to actually bring him in.
* **Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro):** Another Cruzeiro goalscorer having a monster season, with 21 goals and four assists. He would give Brazil a genuine out-and-out No. 9 option, a role many expect Raphinha or Endrick to fill. You’d think that kind of scoring power would be a no-brainer addition, right?
So, there you have it. Ancelotti’s picks are definitely making waves, and not all of them good. With so many proven goalscorers and standout performers left off, you have to ask: did he get these calls right, or is someone else obviously missing from this squad? Let us know what you think!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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