Mueez Ajao
– Ahead of the 2022 World Cup, which starts later this month, Tite has announced his official list of 26 players for the tournament.
– What stands out the most from his selection is that there are nine forwards in the squad, namely Neymar, Vinicius, Richarlison, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo, Antony, Gabriel Martinelli and Pedro.
– It’s also a bit of a surprise to see 39-year-old Dani Alves included, as many expected the veteran to be left out.
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– Alves will be hoping to use his experience as football’s most decorated player with 44 career trophies to help five-time champions Brazil to their first World Cup title since 2002.
– The defender has made 12 appearances for Pumas after joining the Mexican outfit in July following the expiration of his contract at Barcelona.
– When asked about the negative reaction on social media to Alves’ selection, Tite told a news conference: “He is one of the captains of the team.
– “I didn’t come here to please people on Twitter, which I don’t even know what percentage of the Brazilian people they represent. I respect differing opinions and I’m not here to convince everyone.”
– However, there is no space for Firmino, who has enjoyed a resurgence at Liverpool this season with six goals in 12 Premier League games. He was last called up by Tite in September, but misses out in favour Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
– Brazil’s pre-World Cup plan is to meet in Italy on November 14, before travelling to Qatar on November 19.
– “We are focused on doing the best job possible,” Tite said when asked if Brazil are favourites to win the World Cup.
– “After four years of work, there is much more consistency. Three or four teams are always placed at the highest level. People assume that Brazil is one of the favourites, and my opinion is that it is, we are one of them.”
– They’ll meet Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in the group and should face one of Portugal or Uruguay in the last 16.
– Brazil are determined to win a sixth World Cup, four years after suffering disappointment against Belgium and 20 years after winning their last one.
The full Brazil squad for the 2022 World Cup:
Goakeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras).
Centre-backs: Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Bremer (Juventus).
Full-backs: Danilo (Juventus), Dani Alves (Pumas), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Alex Sandro (Juventus).
Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham), Ribeiro (Flamengo).
Forwards: Neymar (PSG), Vinicius (Real Madrid), Richarlison (Tottenham), Raphinha (Barcelona), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Antony (Manchester United), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Pedro (Flamengo).
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