Vitor Reis is called up by Ancelotti and appears in Orlando for the team’s friendly against Croatia
Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the official call-up of defender Vitor Reis, currently at Girona, to join the squad of the Brazilian team that will face Croácia in a friendly match. The 20-year-old defender received his first opportunity in the main team after Brasil’s defeat against França by a score of 2 to 1. The athlete’s presentation is scheduled to take place on the evening of this Friday, March 27, 2026, at the Four Seasons hotel, located in the city of Orlando, in the Estados Unidos.
The technical committee’s decision comes at a time of immediate need for the defensive sector, which suffered important casualties during this period of dates reserved by Fifa. The experienced Marquinhos was absent from the group in the previous match due to persistent pain in the hip region, limiting the Italian coach’s options. Além In addition, Gabriel Magalhães was officially cut from the delegation after presenting clinical problems with his right knee, resulting from his performance in the final of Copa of Liga Inglesa.
- Vitor Reis will start training with the Brazilian group this Saturday morning.
- The international friendly against the Croácia team will be played next Tuesday, March 31st.
- The match will take place at Camping World Stadium, following the local time of Orlando at 8pm.
- The player arrives with a high game pace after a positive run in the Spanish championship.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti called up defender Vitor Reis, who plays for Girona, from Espanha, for the friendly with Croácia, next Tuesday (31), at Orlando.
— brazil (@CBF_Futebol)March 27, 2026
Champion for Seleção Brasileira in the Sul-American Sub-17 of 2023, Vitor Reis is 20 years old and is a…pic.twitter.com/nzqf3GzrHI
Vitor Reis upward trajectory in European football
The young defender consolidated his training in the youth teams of Palmeiras, where he aroused the interest of major clubs on the international scene due to his technique and physical imposition. In January 2025, Manchester City completed the purchase of its economic rights for a fixed amount of 37 million euros, which represented approximately R$232 million at the exchange rate at the time. Atualmente, the athlete’s contract with the British club is valid until the middle of 2029, guaranteeing contractual stability.
To speed up the process of adapting to European football and guarantee competitive playing time, Grupo City opted to loan the defender to Girona, from Espanha. Esta strategy has proven to be efficient, as the Brazilian has already played 29 official matches in the current season for the Spanish club. Durante this period, the defender demonstrated versatility when contributing offensively, registering a goal scored and a direct assist for his teammates.
Previous experience in youth selection categories
Despite being his debut under the command of Carlo Ancelotti in the professional team, Vitor Reis has a relevant history wearing the yellow jersey in lower divisions. The defender was a key player in winning the Campeonato Sul-Americano Sub-17 in 2023, demonstrating early leadership on the field. Essa competitive background in international tournaments was one of the preponderant factors for the main technical committee to validate his name as an immediate replacement.
The transition to professional football occurred naturally, going through a brief period of adaptation at Manchester City before shining in the Spanish league. At the English club, the athlete had few opportunities to take the field, making just four appearances in a span of six months under the command of Pep Guardiola. The move to the Girona provided the necessary showcase for the player to showcase the football that now takes him to the main group of the Brasil.
Technical preparation in Orlando for the international clash
The arrival of Vitor Reis at the Four Seasons hotel this Friday marks the beginning of intensive preparation that aims to correct the flaws presented in the last match against França. Coach Carlo Ancelotti highlighted, in recent statements, that the team needs greater solidity and coordination among the defenders to withstand the pressure of qualified opponents. The training session scheduled for Saturday will be the first time that the new squad member will work tactically with the other defenders available in the squad.
The atmosphere at Flórida has been one of total focus, with the Brazilian delegation seeking to reverse the impression left after the defeat at Boston. The presence of young talents like Vitor Reis signals a gradual renewal that Ancelotti intends to implement with a view to the next competitive cycles. The technical committee’s expectation is that the rapport will occur quickly, taking advantage of the athlete’s familiarity with the European style of play, which is predominant in the majority of Croatian attackers.
Challenges facing the Brazilian defensive system in the current season
Injuries to absolute starters such as Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães imposed a considerable tactical challenge for the assembly of the team that takes the field next Tuesday. Sem strong names in the defense, Ancelotti needed to look for alternatives that maintained the level of ball output and speed in the lateral coverage. Vitor Reis meets these technical requirements, being recognized for his capacity for anticipation and precision in long passes, characteristics valued in the Brazilian game model.
In addition to physical issues, the team seeks to find an emotional balance after conceding goals in crucial moments of the game against the French. The integration of an athlete who is going through an excellent phase at Girona can inject confidence and new energy into the sector that has been most demanded recently. The technical committee closely monitors the physical condition of all those called up, ensuring that planning for the friendly is not compromised by new medical problems before kick-off.
Impact of moving to Grupo City on development
The structure offered by City Football Group has allowed Vitor Reis to have access to elite training methodologies since leaving Brasil. The exchange between clubs from the same conglomerate facilitated the transition from Palmeiras to Espanha, ensuring continuous logistical and technical support for the young defender. Essa support network is seen as a difference that allowed the player to reach the level necessary to be remembered by the Brazilian team in such a short time.
The investment made by Manchester City reflects the bet on the future projection of the athlete, who is seen as a potential long-term starter also at the English club. The loan period to Girona ends at the end of this European season, when the City board will reevaluate its definitive integration into the main squad in Manchester. For now, the player’s full focus remains on helping the Spanish club and enjoying every minute of this unprecedented call-up to represent his country.
Prospects for the game against Croácia in American territory
The clash against the Croatian team is seen as a high-level test to measure Brasil’s ability to react after adverse results. Croácia maintains a solid and competitive base, demanding extra attention from the Brazilian defensive system during the 90 minutes of play. Vitor Reis may have the opportunity to play in part of the game, depending on the strategy that Ancelotti adopts during training sessions on American soil.
The Brazilian fans at Orlando promise to attend Camping World Stadium in force to support the national team in this adjustment process. Para the young defender, the match represents the culmination of his short but successful professional career that began on the fields of Academia of Futebol in São Paulo. The match will be broadcast globally, serving as a litmus test to consolidate the name of Vitor Reis among those selected for official Fifa commitments.
Technical analysis of the performance of Vitor Reis on Espanha
Statistics collected during the current edition of the Spanish championship show that the Brazilian has one of the highest rates of aerial duels won in his team. Além of his physical strength, his reading of the game allows for precise interceptions that prevent dangerous attacks from opponents before they even enter the penalty area. Esses data was thoroughly analyzed by CBF performance analysts before formalizing the invitation made by Carlo Ancelotti this Thursday.
The regularity shown in 29 official games shows that the athlete has overcome the oscillation phase common to young people who leave South American football directly for Europa. Sua the ability to play on both the right and left sides of the defense offers the coach important tactical flexibility in game situations. The goal scored in the Spanish season also highlights his danger in offensive set pieces, a resource that the Brazilian team seeks to exploit more efficiently.
Routine of the Brazilian team in Orlando before the friendly
The delegation’s schedule in Orlando includes field activities, video sessions to analyze the opponent and physical recovery work in the hotel’s gym. The climate in the city is favorable for sports, with mild temperatures that facilitate athletes’ performance during periods of intense effort. Ancelotti tends to prioritize privacy in their tactical training, closing part of the activities to the press in the days before big games.
Vitor The reception from teammates is usually warm, facilitating the inclusion of new talents within the team. The expectation is that the defender will feel comfortable applying the football that made him stand out in the Girona, contributing immediately to the objectives set by the technical coordination of the Brazilian team.
Audience expectations and logistics for the international duel
Camping World Stadium has the capacity to receive thousands of fans and demand for tickets has been high since the announcement of the match. The event organizers have reinforced security and access protocols to ensure that fans have a positive experience during Brasil’s stay at Flórida. Para the players, the logistics of travel between the hotel Four Seasons and the training site were planned to minimize excessive physical exhaustion.
This friendly closes the testing period on this date Fifa, and the final result will have a direct impact on the ranking of the international federation and the morale of the group. The last-minute inclusion of Vitor Reis adds an element of novelty that piques the curiosity of analysts and fans about how Brasil will perform defensively. The kickoff on Tuesday night will mark not just a football game, but possibly the beginning of a new trajectory for one of the most promising defenders of the new Brazilian generation.
