By Martin Graham
Brentford forward Igor Thiago has been rewarded with his first senior Brazil selection ahead of upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia later this month. The 24-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign, scoring 19 league goals and sitting just behind the division’s top scorer, Erling Haaland. His contributions have played a key role in lifting Brentford to seventh place in the standings.
Thiago’s rise has been particularly notable given his difficult start in England. After arriving from Club Brugge for a club-record £30m in July 2024, injuries limited him to just eight appearances in his debut season, during which he failed to find the net.
Head coach Keith Andrews praised the striker’s development following Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Wolves, a match in which Thiago scored. He highlighted the player’s journey and the collective effort behind his progress, emphasizing how significant this milestone is for both Thiago and those around him.
Andrews also underlined the emotional importance of the call-up, describing it as the fulfillment of a major ambition. He noted that representing Brazil would be a proud and memorable occasion for the forward and his family.
Rayan and Sara add fresh faces to Ancelotti’s squad
Bournemouth winger Rayan is another newcomer included in the squad. The 19-year-old joined the club in January from Vasco da Gama for £24.7m and has already netted twice in the Premier League, earning recognition at the international level.
Gabriel Sara, formerly of Norwich, has also received his first call-up. The 26-year-old moved to Galatasaray in July 2024 and secured the Turkish Super League title in his debut season with the club.
Defender Leo Pereira completes the list of new additions. The 30-year-old Flamengo center back joins the squad as Brazil prepares for their final fixtures before the World Cup squad is confirmed.
Meanwhile, young striker Endrick returns to the national setup after a year-long absence. Now on loan at Lyon from Real Madrid, the 19-year-old made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick in just his second appearance for the French side.
Neymar absent as Brazil prepare for key fixtures
Brazil will face France on 26 March in Boston before taking on Croatia on 31 March in Orlando. These matches represent the final opportunity for players to impress before Carlo Ancelotti names his World Cup squad.
Notably absent from the selection is Neymar, who has not featured for the national team since October 2023. Ancelotti explained that the forward was left out due to fitness concerns, stating that he is not yet fully ready for international duty.
However, the coach left the door open for a possible return, suggesting that Neymar could still be considered for the World Cup depending on his condition.
Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign on 13 June in New Jersey against Morocco. They are also set to face Haiti and Scotland in Group C as they aim to add to their record of five tournament victories.
