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Neymar, Oscar headline Euro-based Brazil squad for March friendly

NeymarBrazil (Getty)

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.

Comments

  1. 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.

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  2. 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

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  3. 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?

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  4. 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?

    Reply

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