NEYMAR MISSES BRAZIL FRIENDLIES OVER FITNESS, ENDRICK RETURNS TO SQUAD
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday that Neymar is “not 100 percent” fit and will miss Brazil’s two friendlies later this month, while youngster Endrick has been recalled to the squad.
Neymar, who plays for Santos FC, has not featured for Brazil since October 2023 after suffering a serious knee injury. However, he has made four appearances for his club since mid-February.
The 34-year-old will miss the pre-World Cup friendlies against France national football team on March 27 in Boston and against Croatia national football team four days later in Orlando.
Brazil will begin their campaign for a sixth FIFA World Cup title—and their first since 2002—against Morocco national football team in New Jersey on June 13. They will also face Haiti national football team and Scotland national football team in Group C.
“I haven’t called him up because he’s not 100 percent,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“But for the final (World Cup) squad, that’s another story,” the 66-year-old added.
Rodrygo of Real Madrid and Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United will also miss the matches due to injury.
Endrick, 19, last played for Brazil a year ago and has earned a recall after a series of impressive performances since joining Olympique Lyonnais on loan from Real Madrid.
Ancelotti had previously signed Endrick for Real Madrid from Palmeiras in 2024.
The Italian coach also handed first call-ups to Igor Thiago of Brentford and teenager Rayan of Bournemouth.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool FC), Bento Matheus Krepski (Al-Nassr), Ederson Moraes (Fenerbahce)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo Luiz da Silva (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal FC), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley França (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea FC), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Barbosa (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Luiz Henrique (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (FC Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
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