By IVES GALARCEP
If you think Jurgen Klinsmann has some tough decisions to make regarding selecting a World Cup roster, consider what Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has to deal with.
It is widely known that Brazil has the deepest collection of top-caliber talent in the world, meaning there are sure to be some stars left off the World Cup roster.
Scolari helped offer a glimpse of just which players might wind up being left out when he named the European-based players he is calling in for Brazil’s March friendly against South Africa (He will include 3-4 Brazilian League-based player later this month).
Among the players NOT included on Scolari’s initial list? Paris St. Germain’s Lucas Moura and Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho are just two of the talents left off the latest roster, therefore looking like long-shots to be a part of the Brazil World Cup squad.
The biggest surprise inclusion in the squad is Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho, who has enjoyed an outstanding season for City, but has just one national team appearance since 2012.
Here is the squad Scolari called in:
GOALKEEPERS
Júlio César
DEFENDERS
Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dante, Daniel Alves, Rafinha, Marcelo
MIDFIELDERS
Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Ramires, Oscar, Willian
STRIKERS
Neymar, Bernard, Hulk
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What do you think of the squad? Who are you surprised to see left out? Think Brazil is the favorite to win the World Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
All those 16 players except for maybe Willian will be playing for Brazil at the World Cup. Scolari may have a deep pool but he chooses the players he likes and trust no matter what. I hate to say this, but Brazil will not win the WC. In my opinion it will be a South American team. My favorites are Uruguay and Argentina in that order. This may be Suarez’s or Messi’s year I believe. Mark my words today. Also, I bet Mexico will place higher than the USA and may even make it to the quarterfinals. Mark that down as well. USA is not getting out of that group, despite how much I wish it would. Finally, mark this last one down too, please.
When the cups a memory let’s review your Nostradamic assertions my friend!!! Muahahah
kaka for wilian, robinho for bernard, ronaldinho for hulk ……what i want assuming no ones injured
maybe if it were 2004
It said 3 Brazilian based players to be naked later so this is still possible.
Named
no true out and out striker hmm interesting
Hulk? Really? why not Diego Costa? He hasn’t played yet for SPAIN. Call him up asap to play. Hulk is a solid player but he barely scores in Russia whereas Costa has scored in nearly every match in SPAIN
I believe Costa already said he wants play for Spain, and Spain only. I am not sure if he could be persuaded or not.
Uhhh Costa has come out and decided to play for Spain. You can ask all you want, doesn’t matter.
Diego Costa was “called up” last year by Scolari and Brazil and rejected the call up. No use in being humiliated again.
how much did SA have to pay Brazil to play them? like last year Haiti played SPAIN. which made no sense. also Puerto Rico played Spain after their world cup win.
how much cash was used?
Only surprise is Willian. Everyone else should be in the world cup.
Stupid question. Why only 16 players… Will their be an expanded squad with more than 1 keeper released soon?
I’m sure Klinsman wishes he had those “tough desicions to make”.
true, and they are very talented and playing in Brazil, but I can’t see them winning it
Dude, I doubted them too. But it’s Brazil playing in Brazil. They are winning it. And I will be there to party with them…