Brazilian coach Tite has revealed the players selected for the 2022 World Cup. One of the main uncertainties concerned Alves. The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain full-back is one of Tite’s trusted men, but he hasn’t played a single match for two months.
Since leaving Barça at the end of last season to join the Pumas in Mexico, the Seleçao veteran has been far from the form of his best years and has injured his knee.
An experienced team
Tite will be able to rely on the experience of another almost quadra: Thiago Silva, 38, who, unlike Alves, plays regularly and continues to chain solid performances with Chelsea.
They will find in defense Marquinhos, 28, with whom they had the good days of PSG.
But the Parisian club will be mainly represented by Neymar, 30, expected at the turn for his third World Cup. The first two tasted bitter, due to physical problems.
“Ney” ready
In recent months, he has been in great shape, with a great start to the season in the PSG jersey (15 goals and 12 assists in 19 matches in all competitions).
In Qatar, “Ney” will be supported by other prominent attackers this season, such as Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) or Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).
Starting center forward at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, without scoring a single goal, the latter had not been called up during the last rally, but he retains all of Tite’s confidence and seems to have found a new lease of life with the Gunners.
Internship in Turin
Roberto Firmino will not be on the trip. Losing momentum in recent seasons at Liverpool, he was one of the only Reds strikers to survive a disappointing start to the season, but it wasn’t enough. Tite preferred Jesus, but also Richarlison (Tottenham), back from injury, and Pedro, Flamengo scorer.
Brazil, who are currently at the top of the Fifa rankings and are among the big favourites, will make their debut in Qatar on November 24, against Serbia, before facing Switzerland on November 28, then Cameroon on December 2.
The 26 selected will be released by their clubs after the weekend’s matches and must report to Turin next Monday, where they will train for five days at Juventus facilities, before flying to Qatar.