Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have been recalled by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti for friendlies against South Korea and Japan, after missing the previous squad.
Neymar, however, remains absent. The 33-year-old forward, recovering from another thigh injury, is not expected to return for Santos before November. He has not been called up since Ancelotti took charge in May, with his last Brazil appearance dating back to October 2023.
Vinicius and Rodrygo, who often played together under Ancelotti at Real, have been rotated by new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso this season. “Rodrygo is back because even if he hasn’t started much (two in nine games), he’s been effective whenever he’s come on,” Ancelotti said.
Defender Eder Militao also returns after a long injury layoff, giving Real three players in the squad.
But injuries continue to trouble Brazil; regular starters Raphinha (Barcelona) and Alisson (Liverpool) are unavailable.
One surprise inclusion is striker Igor Jesus, recently signed by Nottingham Forest, who gets the nod ahead of Chelsea’s Joao Pedro.
