Brazil names oldest-ever World Cup player

2 years ago 109

World Cup favourites Brazil has revealed its star-studded squad bound for Qatar.

While determination were mostly fewer surprises, the inclusion of seasoned Dani Alves has raised a fewer eyebrows.

Brazil's wealthiness of attacking options was highlighted erstwhile 9 forwards were picked successful the country's roster.

Neymar spearheaded the radical of forwards including comparative youngsters Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo.

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino, capped since 2014, missed out.

“There's a procreation of high-level athletes, they are bringing themselves here,” manager Tite said erstwhile asked wherefore truthful galore strikers were picked.

“There could person been different players and determination are surely arguments for different players. These are conscionable choices. Because of the team's characteristics, we request assertive players connected the wings. And that's however we person structured ourselves.”

Alves, the erstwhile Barcelona right-back, was besides named connected the 26-man list. At 39, helium becomes Brazil's oldest World Cup subordinate ever.

With 125 caps, Alves volition contention his 3rd World Cup aft making appearances successful 2010 and 2014. He was an wounded chopped for the 2018 variation successful Russia.

Alves, who played his past nine lucifer successful September for Mexico’s Pumas, said helium understood wherefore immoderate fans were not blessed astir his selection.

“I americium not present to delight everyone. We are present not to neglect those who spot us,” Alves said.

“The effort, the dedication and the sacrifice person paid off.”

Of Alves' selection, Tite said, “The criteria for Dani Alves is recognising idiosyncratic skill, the carnal and intelligence aspects."

There were besides 8 defenders and six midfielders, not including 2018 World Cup subordinate Philippe Coutinho, who suffered a quadricep wounded successful grooming with Aston Villa astatine the weekend.

Tite narrowed down the database from 55 players helium and his unit had been monitoring since 2018 to effort and triumph a record-extending sixth World Cup crown.

“We prioritised important players from the midfield to the attack, but keeping our equilibrium is the team’s main idea,” Tite said.

“To triumph astatine the highest level, we request to make and score. But that doesn’t mean our antiaircraft spot is not cardinal to win.”

In Qatar, Brazil volition look Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon successful Group G. Serbia and Switzerland were besides successful Brazil's radical 4 years agone successful Russia, erstwhile the Brazilians mislaid to Belgium successful the quarterfinals.

The squad volition stitchery successful Turin, Italy connected November 14. It volition question to Qatar 5 days later.

The 61-year-old Tite has already announced helium volition measurement down pursuing the tourney aft six years successful charge. He said the past 4 of his six years connected the occupation helped to make much options for the squad to conscionable the antithetic styles of their opponents.

“There are 2 ways for america to play. Either with 2 wingers oregon with Lucas Paquetá arsenic a 2nd midfielder,” helium said.

The second would mean Brazil perchance attacking opponents with 2 strikers successful a much cardinal position, wrong the punishment box.

“I don't judge successful comfortableness zones, I judge successful assurance zones, and that's wherever we volition be. We volition springiness them the assurance to play astatine a precocious level. What we won't bash is to inquire players to instrumentality a relation that they don't instrumentality astatine their clubs.”

Neymar, a regular starter for 4 years, said connected his societal media channels helium had “an unexplainable feeling” aft proceeding his sanction work retired by Tite astatine the Brazilian Football Confederation.

“The clip is now,” helium said.

Asked whether Brazil tin see itself the favourite successful Qatar, Tite said: “After 4 years of work, we get much consistent... Brazil is, indeed, 1 of the favourites."

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