Joao Pedro was left fearing the worst after Carlo Ancelotti initially appeared to leave him out of his Brazil squad.
The Chelsea star is set to join up with his national team for their upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, but this was almost in doubt after a huge blunder from his manager.
Joao Pedro for Brazil
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After an initial mix-up, Joao Pedro now looks set to add to his six previous Brazil capsCredit: Getty
Awkward moment
On Monday, national team boss Ancelotti named his 26-man squad for their March internationals live on Brazilian channel Panela SporTV.
But there was a hairy moment for Pedro, as the Italian only announced the first 25 players to be called up.
The Blues forward is currently on a rich vein of form, with 11 goals in his last 14 games, meaning his absence would have shocked many.
Things soon became even more awkward, as Pedro's photo and name appeared on the screen in the background of the broadcast, despite his name not being called out.
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Several minutes passed after Ancelotti's initial announcement before he was informed by national team director Rodrigo Caetano that he had accidentally left Pedro out of his squad.
The Italian quickly apologised for the major gaffe, and clarified that he had unintentionally skipped the 24-year-old's name.
Holding his hand up, Ancelotti told the media: "Sorry, I missed out Joao Pedro of Chelsea."
'Damn! I've been left out'
With his place in the Brazil squad now confirmed, Pedro later revealed his reaction to the eventful squad announcement.
Asked for his emotions when his name was missed out in an interview with Panela SporTv, the attacker opened up: "It always feels like the first time [to be called up] those butterflies in the stomach.
"And then when he [Ancelotti] finished the list I said to myself: 'Damn! I've been left out!!'
Joao Pedro speaking to PanelaSporTV
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Pedro smiled as he discussed the whirlwind of emotions he felt watching Ancelotti's eventful squad announcementCredit: Panela SporTV
"Then everyone started calling me, I didn't know what was happening... then I came back and thought: "Damn, I'm in, I'm in!" haha."
Smiling as he shared his relief, Pedro finished off: "But it's the same feeling of butterflies ever since my first call up.
"I'm very happy. I'm in a really special moment in my life at the moment as well, and now let's go all out to beat France and Croatia."
Pedro will certainly be relieved to have made it into Ancelotti's 26-man squad for the upcoming games.
This is the last chance for the legendary manager to look at players before naming his final World Cup squad on May 18.
Despite only being capped six times previously for his national team. Pedro will fancy his chances of making the final cut, after a fine debut season for Chelsea which has seen him score 18 goals altogether.
Joao Pedro celebrates goal for Chelsea
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Pedro scored for Chelsea in a recent FA Cup win against WrexhamCredit: Getty
Santos for
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Neymar was again overlooked by Ancelotti, and has not featured for Brazil since October 2023Credit: Getty
And the Blues forward wasn't the only Premier League player to be selected by Ancelotti.
Brentford striker Igor Thiago, and Bournemouth winger Rayan both received their maiden call-ups, while Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes were again chosen.
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So too were Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, Manchester United veteran Casemiro and Pedro's Chelsea teammate Andrey Santos.
Meanwhile, football megastar Neymar was again left out of the squad despite speculation he would make his long-awaited return to the national team fold.