Carlo Ancelotti sends message to Joao Pedro after shock Brazil World Cup axe
Carlo Ancelotti ‘feels very sorry’ for Joao Pedro after surprisingly leaving him out of the Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup.
The Chelsea striker has been impressive this season, scoring 15 Premier League goals and 20 in all competitions in his first season with the Blues.
Only Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago and Antoine Semenyo have scored more than Pedro’s 15 league goals, while he has also provided five assists in the top flight.
The 24-year-old has won eight caps for his country, two of which came this year under Ancelotti.
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However, he has not made the cut for the Italian’s World Cup squad, with 34-year-old Santos forward Neymar one of those who did get the nod.
Joao Pedro was the most notable of the absences, with Ancelotti admitting that he did deserve to be in action this summer.
‘Of course, we are sad for João Pedro,’ said Ancelotti. ‘For the season he had in Europe, he probably deserved to be on this list, but unfortunately, with all possible awareness and respect, we chose another player. I feel very sorry for João Pedro and all the others.’
Neymar makes a return to the Brazil squad despite not playing for his country since 2023.
Explaining the decision, Ancelotti said: ‘We evaluated Neymar throughout the year, and we saw that in this last period he played consistently and improved his physical condition.
‘We think he is an important player, and he will be an important player in this World Cup.
‘The evaluation for the whole year was solely based on the physical aspect, we talked about that. It was physical. In the last games, he played consistently. He may have the possibility of improving his physical condition before the first game of the Cup. He has that opportunity.
‘In addition, his experience in this type of competition, and the affection he has for the group, creating a better environment within the group, helping the team, are all important factors.’
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The 66-year-old added of the former Barcelona and PSG superstar: ‘He has the same role and obligation as the other 25. He has the possibility of playing, of not playing, of being on the bench, of coming on as a substitute; he will have the same possibilities as the others.
‘He is an experienced player. The truth is that in some positions, like goalkeeper, we prioritise experience a little more. That’s why we also called up Weverton from Grêmio.
‘Experienced players that we don’t need to treat, but whose value we know in this type of competition, they are used to it.
‘I’m sorry that others aren’t here, like Bento and Hugo Souza. I’m very sorry, it makes me a little sad. But they will have, like other young players who aren’t on this list, like Andrey Santos and João Pedro, the opportunity to be part of the project for the next World Cup.’
Brazil squad for 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
Alisson (Liverpool)
Ederson (Fenerbahçe)
Weverton (Grêmio)
Defenders
Wesley (Roma)
Danilo (Flamengo)
Alex Sandro (Flamengo)
Douglas Santos (Zenit)
Marquinhos (PSG)
Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
Bremer (Juventus)
Ibañez (Al Ahli)
Léo Pereira (Flamengo)
Midfielders
Casemiro (Manchester United)
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle)
Fabinho (Al Ittihad)
Danilo Santos (Botafogo)
Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards
Luiz Henrique (Zenit)
Endrick (Lyon)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Neymar (Santos)
Matheus Cunha (Manchester United)
Igor Thiago (Brentford)
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Rayan (Bournemouth)
Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/05/18/carlo-ancelotti-sends-message-joao-pedro-shock-brazil-world-cup-axe-28425341/