Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes has been called up by Brazil for the March internationals, but Gabriel Martinelli hasn’t despite making their preliminary shortlist.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal celebrate at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Emirates Stadium on January 15, 2025. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Brazil have confirmed their call-ups for the March international break, and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is among the list of 23 names submitted by manager Dorival Junior.
Winger Gabriel Martinelli is not, despite having featured on the initial 52-player shortlist last week.
It always seemed like an outside chance that Martinelli would be involved in the final squad, and it’s now confirmed that he won’t be.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Martinelli has been out for a month with a hamstring injury, and the expectation is that he’ll be back in action by the end of March, if not sooner.
The winger’s absence from the final Brazil squad doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t play before the international break, as Dorival Junior may simply have opted not to select him. Even if he’s fit, it’s probably not a good idea to immediately throw the 23-year-old into World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil are set to face Colombia and Argentina over the break, so these were no easy fixtures for a reintroduction.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is challenged by Ian Maatsen of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Even so, it’s a shame we don’t have that guarantee that Brazil expect Martinelli to be fit within the next couple of weeks. His exact return date and whether or not he’ll be fit for Arsenal’s upcoming game against Chelsea remains unclear.
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