Brazil's new national team coach, Dorival Júnior, has revealed the preliminary squad called up for the 2024 Copa América, a crucial step in the long-awaited preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The long-awaited squad includes the return of superstar Neymar Júnior, along with a notable presence of several players from the Saudi Professional League, reflecting the significant development the league is experiencing on the global stage.
Historical background and context of the announcement
The Seleção enters this new phase with a magnificent footballing legacy, being the most decorated team in World Cup history with five titles. However, Brazil's star has been absent from the global stage since 2002, placing immense pressure on the current generation to recapture past glories. The announcement of this squad comes at a crucial time under the leadership of coach Dorival Júnior, who took over in early 2024 with the aim of rebuilding and rejuvenating the team, finding the ideal blend of experience and youth to fulfill the aspirations of Brazilian fans.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
The most notable news on the list is the return of Neymar, the star of Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal, after his long absence since October 2023 due to a serious cruciate ligament injury. His presence represents a huge morale boost for the team, as he is the national team's all-time leading scorer and its captain. Alongside him, the Brazilian attack is bolstered by Real Madrid's brilliant Vinicius Junior, a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. On the other hand, the list saw the absence of prominent names such as Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, sparking widespread discussion about the new coach's tactical choices.
Regionally and internationally, the call-up of players from the Saudi Professional League, such as Fabinho (Al-Ittihad) and Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), underscores the growing status of the Saudi league as a destination for the world's top stars. The league is no longer merely a final stop in a player's career, but has become a powerful platform that allows them to maintain their peak technical and physical condition to compete for a place in their national teams, thus reshaping the landscape of global football.
The complete preliminary squad list for the Brazilian national team:
The initial list included 55 players, which will be reduced before the start of the tournament. The players are:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Pinto (Atletico Paranaense), Hugo Sosa (Corinthians), John (Nottingham Forest), Carlos Miguel (Palmeiras).
Defense: Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Porto), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Roger Ibañez (Al-Ahli Saudi), Alexandro (Lille), Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Lucas Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitor Reis (Girona), Murillo (Nottingham Forest), Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Paulo Henrique (Vasco), Vitinho (Botafogo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Luciano Goba (Bahia), Caio Henrique (Monaco), Caio (Cruzeiro), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan).
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), André Santos (Chelsea), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), João Gomes (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Palmeiras), Joelinton (Newcastle), Gerson (Cruzeiro), Matheus Pereira (Cruzeiro).
Forwards: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Rafinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Joao Pedro and Estevao (Chelsea), Neymar (Al-Hilal Saudi), Indric (Lyon), Ryan (Bournemouth), Anthony (Real Betis), Igor Tiago (Brentford), Pedro (Flamengo), Richarlison (Tottenham), Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest), Caio Jorge (Cruzeiro).
