Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Andrey Santos has been called up to the Brazil national team as Carlo Ancelotti begins his overhaul of the team following a disappointing World Cup campaign.
South American football expert Tim Vickery recently claimed Carlo Ancelotti made a mistake not bringing Andrey Santos to the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil, featuring Matheus Cunha and former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, were knocked out in the round of 16, courtesy of Norway.
On Wednesday, Ancelotti announced a new-look Brazil squad ahead of their upcoming friendly matches. Santos was called up ahead of his predecessor in United’s midfield.
Andrey Santos arriving at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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No room for Casemiro or Ederson as Andrey Santos makes Brazil squad
Ancelotti announced a squad with few of the players he took to the World Cup three months ago and several young talents.
There was no room for Cunha or Casemiro. Former United target Ederson also missed out on a call-up, despite being a late addition to Brazil’s squad for the World Cup.
The Atalanta midfielder almost cost United a transfer fee worth £35m in the summer until Ineos turned their attention towards Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba.
Brazil will take on Australia twice at the end of September in Townsville and Brisbane, before facing India for the first time on 3 October in Kolkata.
While the latest Brazil squad announcement will come as a blow for Cunha, it should give Santos a boost because it looks like he is in Ancelotti’s plans, unlike Casemiro.
Santos has six international caps as things stand.
🇧🇷 Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba) Otavio (Cruzeiro)
Defenders: Arthur Dias (Athletico Paranaense), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Jair (Nottingham Forest), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Junior (PSV), Vitor Reis (Man City)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)
Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Pedro (Flamengo)
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What did Carlo Ancelotti say about the latest Brazil squad
Ancelotti’s latest Brazil squad doesn’t lack talking points.
The Italian coach admits he is trying to build for the future to prepare for the 2030 World Cup.
“The World Cup was a disappointment for us and for me personally,” Ancelotti told reporters after announcing his squad.
“We weren’t able to play the way we expected. Being eliminated by Norway was a huge letdown because the team had actually played well up until the 60th minute of that match. We struggled in the first half, but the team improved after that. The defeat to Norway came as a surprise in that sense, because no one expected it to happen.
“At a club, you have the chance to process things and move on relatively quickly because there’s another competition coming up; with the national team, it’s more complicated. The pain of the defeat lingers much longer. Now, however, we are motivated by the fact that we have time to prepare for a new cycle and get ready for the upcoming competitions.”