Pereira earns first Brazil call-up, Jesus left out

RIO DE JANEIRO: Just a week AFTER making HIS irst PREMIER LEAGUE start for Manchester United, Andreas P ere ira received a surprise ir st call-up to Tite’s Brazil squad ahead of two friendlies next month.

Thebelgian-born22-year-oldmidfielder was amongst a host of new, young, uncapped faces in Brazil’s first post-world cup squad, including barcelona midfielder Arthur, also 22.

Having started for jose mo ur in ho’ s United in last week’s 2-1 win over Leicester City, Pereira is joined in the Brazil squad by new club teammate Fred.

Pereira, whose father was a Brazilian footballer who spent most of his career in Belgium, represented both Belgium and Brazil at youth level.

Fl amen go pair hugo ,19, and lucas Pa que ta ,20, flu min ens e’ s 21- year-old Pedro and Gremio winger Everton, 22, were also included but there was no place for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, 21, in the 24-man squad.

Paris saint- germain st arney mar is included but Real Madrid veteran Marcelo was left out for the games against the United States and El Salvador, both in the US.

Tite said those left out were still “important but right now we’re giving opportunities to the new generation of talent”. “The priority is to give opportunities while maintaining the team’s foundation and preparing for next year’s Copa America.”

Brazil host the 2019 edition of the South American championship.