Manchester United FC central midfielder Casemiro has been ruled out of the Brazil national team squad for their friendlies against England and Spain in the current international break due to injury concerns. Porto winger Pepe is likely to take his place in the side.
The team has been dealt with a lot of fitness concerns recently. Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli, and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) defender Marquinhos are absent due to similar reasons.
"From a preliminary list of 50 names, 13 had already been ruled out by injury at their clubs. Unfortunately, we also lost Casemiro. Pepe, from Porto, a forward by origin and now a midfielder, has been called up," coach Dorival Junior said.
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Pepe, 27, has received his second call-up by the Brazilian senior side. He earlier debuted in their 2-1 defeat to Colombia in the FIFA World Cup qualifier in 2023. Dorival has also declared that goalkeeper Leo Jardim, defender Fabricio Bruno, and Porto striker Galeno are set to come in as injury replacements. The trio has received their first call-up to the national team.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Bento (Athletico-PR), Leo Jardim (Vasco da Gama), Rafael (Sao Paulo)
Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Ayrton Lucas (Flamengo), Wendell (Porto) Beraldo (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Fabricio Bruno (Flamengo), Murilo (Palmeiras)
Midfielders: Andre (Fluminense), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United), Pablo Maia (Sao Paulo)
Forwards: Endrick (Palmeiras), Pepe (Porto), Galeno (Porto), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).
