Flamengo’s football director, José Boto, raised scathing criticisms about the Brazilian team’s squad list for the World Cup. In an interview with Canal 11, in Portugal, the director expressed his perplexity at the inclusion of Neymar, Santos striker, in Carlo Ancelotti’s team, while red-and-black goalscorer Pedro was passed over. Boto’s statement sparks debate about selection criteria, especially the prioritization of recovering players versus top scorers in full form.
In his speech, Boto expressed his appreciation for Neymar, but highlighted the player’s physical inconstancy. “It’s a shame, I really like him, but he can’t play two games in a row”, said the director, adding that he doesn’t understand the call-up of an athlete with so little recent activity, contrasting with the omission of Pedro, who had accumulated 15 goals and the top scorer in the Brazilian Championship. He stressed that the choices are made by the coach, who will bear the consequences.
Neymar, in turn, joined the Seleção facing a calf injury. The athlete has been receiving intensive treatment and is expected to be ready to participate in Brazil’s third match at the World Cup, which will take place next Wednesday against the Scotland team.
Pedro, despite being part of the national team’s pre-list for the tournament, was not called up by Carlo Ancelotti for any match. The striker registered 17 goals this year and is second in top scorer in the Brazilian Championship with 10 goals, just one goal behind Viveiros, from Athletico-PR.