Flamengo leads the Brazilian squad for the World Cup and breaks a 24-year fast By Thiago Lemos
3 min read
 |
The call-up of Seleção Brasileira to Copa from Mundo consolidated Flamengo as the main national base of the squad that will seek the world title. Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the list of 26 players on Monday afternoon, including four athletes from the Rio club in the official delegation. The feat restores the leading role of the country’s teams in the composition of the main group.
The call of the red and black quartet ends a long period of European dominance in the leadership of athletes provided for the tournament. The last time a Brazilian football team was at the top of the squad list occurred during the fifth championship campaign. The current movement indicates a new dynamic in the group’s assembly.
Flamengo dominates Carlo Ancelotti’s list and repeats historic marks in national football
Coach Carlo Ancelotti included full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro, defender Léo Pereira and midfielder Lucas Paquetá in the final list of athletes traveling to the tournament. Rio’s Janeiro club overcame international powers that used to centralize calls in recent editions. Defender Léo Ortiz and striker Pedro were on the list of substitutes for the Italian technical committee.
The last opportunity in which local associations topped the national team list took place in Copa, Mundo, Coreia, Sul and Japão. Naquela, Corinthians and São Paulo were the bases of the delegation with three professionals from each team in the Luiz Felipe Scolari squad. Goalkeeper Rogério Ceni, full-back Belletti and midfielder Kaká represented the tricolor team. Archer Dida, midfielder Vampeta and midfielder Ricardinho defended the black and white club.
The massive presence of players operating on the South American scene balances the forces against the European market. The technical command valued regularity in recent national competitions to close the group of 26 names.
European Domínio loses space after two decades of leadership in calls
Real Madrid led the sending of athletes to the national team in two recent editions of world competitions. The Spanish team commanded the list on two separate occasions in recent seasons. The team shared the top spot with Juventus in the last world tournament before the current cycle. Outras leagues on the continent also registered moments of hegemony in the preference of former coaches.
Internazionale occupied the position of the main supplier of athletes at the beginning of the last decade. Chelsea took the lead in the following edition, while Manchester City was the highlight in the tournament played at Rússia. The current scenario interrupts the trend of isolation of professionals who work at Brasil.
Lista complete of those called up for Copa of Mundo
The definitive list features athletes spread across major international leagues and highlights from the national championship. The group combines the experience of European competitions with the rhythm of the South American calendar.
- Goleiros: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahçe) and Weverton (Grêmio)
- Laterais: Wesley (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo) and Douglas Santos (Zenit)
- Zagueiros: Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al Ahli) and Léo Pereira (Flamengo)
- Meio-campers: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Danilo Santos (Botafogo) and Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
- Atacantes: Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Endrick (Lyon), Raphinha (Barcelona), Neymar (Santos), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Rayan (Bournemouth) and Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
Campeonato Brasileiro expands space in the cast with important returns and news
Goalkeeper Weverton represents Grêmio in the list of three archers selected by the technical committee for the world competition. Midfielder Danilo Santos appears as the representative of Botafogo after standing out in the season’s continental competitions. Striker Neymar returns to the squad defending the Santos shirt in São Paulo football.
The Santos striker received the vote of confidence from the Italian coach to lead the offensive sector in the championship. The technical committee evaluated the player’s physical performance in the last rounds of the state and national tournament before the verdict. The mix of veterans with young promises defines the profile of the Brazilian squad.
