Joao Pedro
Chelsea forward João Pedro had a slightly surreal moment this week, after an unusual mix-up during Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad announcement briefly left him thinking he had been overlooked.
The Italian coach appeared to finish reading the list when he called Vinícius Júnior’s name with a tone that suggested it was the final selection. Journalists in the room began to shift towards questions.
However, seconds later, Ancelotti returned to the microphone and added João Pedro’s name, admitting he had skipped it by mistake.
For a few moments, that small pause created real doubt. And for a player in strong form at Chelsea, it was not an easy situation to process.
Speaking afterwards, João Pedro described exactly how it felt as he followed the announcement.
“It always feels like the first time, you always get that nervous feeling”, he told local outlet Globo Esporte. “When he finished the list, I said: ‘My God, I’ve been left out’!”
That reaction quickly turned into confusion. Then came relief.
“Then suddenly everyone started calling me, I didn’t understand. I went back and said: ‘God, I’m in, I’m in!’. It’s the same feeling since the first time I was called up. I’m very happy. I’m living a very special moment in my life. Now it’s about going all in against France and Croatia.”
Form at Chelsea explains call-up
João Pedro’s inclusion is no surprise when looking at his recent performances in England. This season, João Pedro has 12 goals and 6 assists for Chelsea across all competitions. The attacker has become an essencial attacking outlet for the Blues.
While he prefers to operate as a central striker, he has also dropped deeper at times, effectively playing as a creative forward. That flexibility has helped him earn minutes and influence games in different ways.
According to FBRef data, he averages close to two shots on target per game and around one key pass per match, highlighting both his finishing presence and creative contribution.
In addition, his work rate without the ball has improved. Chelsea have relied on forwards who can press and link play, and João Pedro fits that model well.
That broader contribution likely played a role in Ancelotti’s thinking. Even with heavy competition in Brazil’s attack, players offering tactical versatility tend to stand out.
Competition and ambition
Carlo Ancelotti
João Pedro himself acknowledged how difficult it is to secure a place in the squad, especially with Brazil’s depth in attacking positions.
“I prefer to play as a No.9, but in some games I end up as a No.10. Scoring for the national team is a childhood dream. I hope that day comes. I’ll keep working and it will happen.”
The Chelsea player also made clear that the World Cup is a major target this season, shaping how he approaches both club and international football.
“Each time it gets closer to achieving another dream. Everyone who gets called up has that fire from childhood. It’s something you can’t explain, wearing the national team shirt. Being called up before the World Cup makes me very happy. The competition is huge in every position.”
What happens next
For Chelsea, this episode says as much about João Pedro’s trajectory as his reaction.
He is no longer an outsider hoping for recognition. Instead, he is now expected to be in conversations around Brazil squads, even if competition remains fierce.
The brief confusion during the announcement only highlighted that shift. Missing his name felt surprising – because, based on his current level, it probably should not have been.
If he maintains this form through the final months of the season, Chelsea will have a forward not only performing in the Premier League, but also pushing to become a regular option for Brazil on the biggest stage.
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