The Brazilian men’s soccer team was summoned this Friday (3), at the headquarters of the CBF, in Rio de Janeiro, for the friendly against Morocco, scheduled for next March 25 at the Ibn Batouta Stadium, in the Moroccan city of Tangier . It will be the first commitment since the elimination in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Qatar. Still without a coach since the departure of Tite, who stepped down after the World Cup, the team will be led, on an interim basis, by Ramon Menezes, coach of the Under-20 team.
Let’s go together! ???
?: Thais Magalhães / CBF pic.twitter.com/aQq8lfj2xD
— CBF Football (@CBF_Futebol) March 3, 2023
The list presented by Ramon was full of news, with nine players called up for the first time to the main team. Among them, five U-20 South American champions with the coach: goalkeeper Mycael, lateral Arthur, defender Robert Renan, midfielder Andrey Santos and striker Vitor Roque. Of them, Mycael has not yet debuted as a professional (he defends Athletico-PR). The other four new faces are midfielder André, midfielders João Gomes and Raphael Veiga and striker Rony.
The squad also has 11 players remaining from the Cup: goalkeepers Ederson and Weverton, winger Alex Telles, defenders Eder Militão and Marquinhos, midfielder Casemiro, midfielder Lucas Paquetá and forwards Antony, Richarlison, Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior. Full-backs Emerson Royal and Renan Lodi and defender Ibañez, called up to the national team on other occasions, received another chance. The average age on the list is 24 years old.
“Since I arrived from the South American Championship, we carried out an analysis, we selected 52 to 55 players. Everyone who went to the World Cup could be part of that list, but at this moment we prefer to offer new players. These players have been showing a very good performance in their clubs , competing in important championships and reaching the finals”, said Ramon, in a press conference.
“We are looking for a balance when putting together the list. The knowledge of the athletes I have in the sub-20, giving opportunity to other athletes. There are eight of Olympic age [sub-23]. We could have more. We are leaving out Martinelli, who is of Olympic age. Life is all about choices. I think that, at the moment, we made the best choices to wear the shirt of the national team”, he added.
Regarding the Cup, the absences were those of goalkeeper Alisson, full-backs Daniel Alves, Danilo and Alex Sandro, defenders Thiago Silva and Bremer, midfielders Fred and Fabinho, midfielders Bruno Guimarães and Everton Ribeiro and forwards Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli , Pedro, Raphinha and Neymar. The latter, according to Paris Saint-Germain (France), is recovering from a ligament injury in his right ankle.
“Further tests will be done at the beginning of next week, but unfortunately, for our next appointment, he [Neymar] will not have clinical conditions. Therefore, from our perspective, he could not be called up”, admitted the CBF doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar. “We know the player he is and what he can offer the selection. Doctor Rodrigo who took care of it. He is an excellent player and could, yes, be part of the list”, added Ramon.
