Brazil move into stateof-the-art training complex
LONDON: World Cup favourites Brazil will step up their preparations ahead of Russia 2018 when their 23-man squad gathers at a new centre of excellence in Granja Comary, Teresopolis tomorrow.
The state-of-the-art facility, which cost £3.38 million (RM18 million), took five months to build and will also be the official base for Brazil’s women’s team and the country’s top referees.
Tite’s star-studded squad will stay at their Granja Comary base until May 26.
The next phase of their World Cup warm-up sees them travel to England where they face Croatia in a friendly at Anfield on June 3, before taking on Austria in Vienna seven days later.
Brazil’s new centre of excellence has five full-sized pitches on its doorstep.
Indoors, it has two classrooms with space for 60 people in each, as well as a fully-kitted gym where players will manage their fitness levels this summer.
But it will not be all work and no play for the Brazilian stars. Plenty of provisions have been made to ensure that they are kept entertained during their stay in Granja Comary.
Large televisions linked up to PlayStation 4s and loaded with Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 will be available to while away spare hours. A swimming pool, plus poker and foosball tables, will also be free to use.
The players will be housed in bedrooms equipped with large beds to help them get enough vital sleep.