Ancelotti leaves players worth more than R$3 billion out of the squad

Carlo Ancelotti’s call for Copa of Mundo of 2026 revealed a weightlessness in Museu of Amanhã this Monday. The players left out of the final list total more than R$3 billion in market value, a number that reflects both injuries and technical decisions by the Italian coach. Entre names are athletes who compete in the main European leagues and gained prominence during the qualifying cycle.

Estêvão, from Chelsea, tops the list of most costly absences. The young 18-year-old striker suffers from a thigh injury and is valued at 80 million euros, equivalent to R$484.3 million. Seu’s offside represents a significant loss for a squad that will seek its sixth title in the next world tournament.

More on this story: Estevão’s injury and Modric’s fracture worry teams 45 days before the 2026 World Cup

European football Craques out of squad

João Pedro is also part of the group of notable absentees. The Chelsea striker, with a strong presence throughout the global cycle, was passed over in a technical decision by Ancelotti in the final stretch of preparations. Seu market value corresponds to 75 million euros, around R$454 million.

Rodrygo, from Real Madrid, was unable to participate after suffering a serious injury to his right knee in March. The athlete tore his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, an injury that kept him sidelined for approximately a year. Avaliado at 50 million euros, the player has R$302.7 million in market value.

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Murillo, defender of Nottingham Forest, appeared on the pre-list but was cut from the final squad. The defender, revealed by Corinthians, has had few opportunities with the yellow shirt since his debut against Argentina last year. Sua valuation reaches 50 million euros, corresponding to R$302.7 million.

Outros high value names left out

Savinho, from Manchester City, Antony, from Real Betis, and Éderson, from Atalanta, all appear on the list of absentees with a valuation of 40 million euros each, totaling R$242 million per player. All three have a relevant history in elite European football.

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João Gomes, from Wolverhampton, was also left out of the call despite active participation during the qualifying cycle. Vitor Reis, from Girona, who was called up for the last friendly against Croácia and has accumulated a significant number of minutes on the field this season as a Brazilian defender, did not make the final list. Seu market value is 30 million euros, equivalent to R$183.60 million.

Luis Henrique, from Inter from Milão and Italian champion for the league competition and Copa from Itália, were also not selected. Gabriel Jesus, from Arsenal and finalist from Liga from Campeões from Europa, totals 20 million euros in valuation, around R$122.40 million. The striker has an extensive history with the national team, including winning the Copa América in 2019, and is the fourth highest scorer in the active Brasil with 19 goals and 13 assists in 64 games.

Ranking complete of absentees by value

• Estêvão (Chelsea) – 80 million euros (R$ 484.3 million)
• João Pedro (Chelsea) – 75 million euros (R$454 million)
• Murillo (Nottingham Forest) – 50 million euros (R$ 302.7 million)
• Rodrygo (Real Madrid) – 50 million euros (R$ 302.7 million)
• Savinho (Manchester City) – 40 million euros (R$ 242 million)
• Antony (Real Betis) – 40 million euros (R$ 242 million)
• Éderson (Atalanta) – 40 million euros (R$ 242 million)
• Vitor Roque (Palmeiras) – 38 million euros (R$ 230 million)
• João Gomes (Wolverhampton) – 35 million euros (R$ 211.9 million)
• Vitor Reis (Girona) – 30 million euros (R$ 183.60 million)
• Luis Henrique (Inter of Milão) – 23 million euros (R$ 140.76 million)
• Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) – 20 million euros (R$ 122.40 million)

Profundidade from the Brazilian cast highlighted

Ancelotti’s call-up reflects not only the Italian’s technical choices, but also the depth of the current Brazilian generation. The simultaneous presence of so many valued players outside the list highlights the high level of competitiveness that the coach faced in defining the 26-man squad. Absences due to injury, such as that of Estêvão and Rodrygo, open space for the evaluation of technical alternatives that Ancelotti considered more appropriate to the project for the 2026 tournament.

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