Joao Pedro, Estevao recalled as Brazil name squad for Australia and India friendlies

AFP, Rio de Janeiro

Chelsea forwards Joao Pedro and Estevao were recalled on Wednesday to Brazil's squad for September and October friendlies against Australia and India as coach Carlo Ancelotti begins rebuilding the national team following their disappointing World Cup campaign.

Joao Pedro was one of the players left out by Ancelotti to make room for Neymar in Brazil's World Cup squad, where the five-time champions were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.

Estevao, meanwhile, had been a key figure for Brazil before suffering an injury ahead of the World Cup.

In his first squad since Brazil's failed World Cup campaign, Ancelotti included several new faces, among them goalkeepers Pedro Morisco and Otavio, defender Mauro Junior, and midfielders Breno Bidon and Gabriel Bontempo.

Several of Brazil's established stars also return, including forwards Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and central defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos.

 

 

Notable absentees include Neymar, who announced his international retirement at the age of 34, as well as midfielder Casemiro and goalkeeper Alisson.

Brazil will face Australia in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane on September 29 before taking on India in Kolkata on October 3.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Otavio (Cruzeiro)

Defenders: Arthur Dias (Athletico Paranaense), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG), Jair Cunha (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Junior (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Vitor Reis (Manchester City/ENG), Wesley (Roma/ITA)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United/ENG), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal/ENG), Danilo (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus/ITA), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)

Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid/ESP), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/ESP), Estevao (Chelsea/ENG), Joao Pedro (Chelsea/ENG), Pedro (Flamengo), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP) and Rayan (Bournemouth/ENG).