Brazil leave Casemiro, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus out of Copa América squad
Brazil have included Palmeiras prodigy Endrick in their 23-player strong squad for the upcoming Copa América, but Premier League players Casemiro, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus have missed out on a place, the coach, Dorival Júnior, announced.
Endrick, who is due to join Spanish giants Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July, has scored two goals in four appearances for Brazil since his debut last year. He is the youngest male player to score an international goal at Wembley.
Casemiro has lost out on a spot having struggled with form and fitness in midfield at Manchester United. The 32-year-old has been capped 75 times.
Tottenham forward Richarlison was Brazil’s top scorer at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Croatia, but has failed to make the cut for the Seleçao this time. Richarlison, 27, has scored 12 times and provided four assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season.
Wolves’s Matheus Cunha is another notable absentee, although his clubmate João Gomes is among a sizeable Premier League representation in the squad, as is Jesus’s fellow Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli. Others from England’s top tier are Manchester City’s Ederson, Liverpool’s Alisson, Fulham’s Andreas Pereira, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá.
Vinícius Júnior and his Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo will likely lead the forward line, with Barcelona’s Raphinha also securing a place in the squad. The Real Madrid defender Éder Militão has also made the cut after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier in the season.
Nine-time champions Brazil will kick off their Copa América campaign against Costa Rica on 24 June, followed by Paraguay on 28 June and Colombia on 2 July. The quadrennial tournament will be held in the United States from 20 June to 14 July. Brazil will play friendlies against Mexico on 8 June and the US on 12 June as part of their preparation.