Three players from the Roshen dynasty headline Brazil's squad for March friendlies
The impact of the Saudi Roshan League on the international stage
In a further testament to the remarkable development of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia, particularly football, the latest Brazilian national team roster includes three of the most prominent stars from the Saudi Professional League. This call-up clearly reflects the strength and competitiveness of the Saudi league, which has become a focus of attention for the coaching staff of some of the world's most prestigious national teams, most notably the Brazilian national team, five-time World Cup champions.
The trio of Dori Roshen adorn the Samba list
The official squad called up for the March international break includes: Pinto, the impressive Al-Nassr goalkeeper; Roger Ibanez, the solid defender for Al-Ahli; and Fabinho, the star midfielder and captain of Al-Ittihad. This trio demonstrates that playing in the Middle East is no longer an obstacle to representing major national teams; rather, the Roshan League has become a high-quality competitive platform that attracts and develops stars.
Historical context and importance of the event
Historically, the Brazilian national team relied almost entirely on players who were professionals in major European leagues, in addition to the Brazilian domestic league. With the launch of the investment and privatization project for sports clubs within Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, and the attraction of top-tier stars, the global football landscape has changed. The regional and international significance of this event lies in breaking the European monopoly and demonstrating that the Saudi league possesses the technical and physical capabilities to prepare its players for the toughest international competitions, thus increasing the market value and appeal of the Saudi league.
Brazil's preparations for the 2026 World Cup
The Brazilian national team is scheduled to play two high-profile friendly matches during the March international break, against both France and Croatia. These matches will take place on March 26th and 31st in the United States. These games are part of the Seleção's intensive preparation plan for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Neymar's absence from the list
In a related development, the Brazilian squad list notably omitted the name of the national team's legendary star and captain, Neymar da Silva, who plays for Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal. This expected absence stems from the player's ongoing rehabilitation program following a cruciate ligament injury sustained during his previous international duty, thus delaying his return to lead the Seleção's attack for the time being.
The complete list of the Brazilian national team
The list of players called up included a selection of top stars, distributed as follows:
- Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Pinto (Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia), Ederson.
- Defense line: Wesley, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Douglas Santos, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Leo Pereira, Bremer, Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli Saudi).
- Midfield: Casemiro, Fabinho (Al-Ittihad Saudi), Andre Santos, Danilo, Gabriel Sara.
- Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Rafinha Diaz, Gabriel Martinelli, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Andric, Igor Tiago, Ryan, Joao Pedro.
