Brazil Calls Up Best Players Ahead of Friendly Match Against Korea

Neymar, Vinicius, Jesus Join Forces

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Brazilian national football team, set to face South Korea on the 2nd of next month, is gathering its top players. The Brazilian Football Confederation announced the A-match squad list on the 11th (local time) ahead of their Korea tour.

True to their FIFA ranking as number one, the lineup is luxurious. Leading the attack is Neymar (PSG), Brazil's all-time top scorer in A-matches with 71 goals, along with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo (both Real Madrid), Raphinha (Leeds), Richarlison (Everton), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal). Midfielders include Casemiro (Real Madrid), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Danilo (Palmeiras), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Lucas Paqueta (Lyon), and Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa).

The defense features Dani Alves (Barcelona), Danilo, Alex Sandro (both Juventus), Alex Telles (Manchester United), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), and Thiago Silva (Chelsea). The goalkeepers are Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), and Weverton (Palmeiras).

For the South Korean team led by coach Paulo Bento, this will be a challenging rehearsal ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. During the next A-match period (May 30 to June 14), the Bento squad will face Brazil, Chile (on the 6th), and Paraguay (on the 10th) in succession. They are scheduled to play four matches in total, with the final opponent yet to be confirmed. South Korea (ranked 29th) is in Group H at the Qatar World Cup alongside Portugal (8th), Uruguay (13th), and Ghana (60th). Brazil is in Group G, facing Switzerland (14th), Serbia (25th), and Cameroon (37th).