RIO DEJANEIRO: Brazil have announced their 23-man provisional squad for the World Cup in Russia including the injured Paris St-Germaine forward Neymar Jr.
Neymar, currently the most expensive footballer in the world had undergone an operation on a fractured metatarsal in March after joining Paris St Germaine from La Liga champions Barcelona for a record transfer fee.
The Brazilian number 10 was ruled out for action for three months by the national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmer.
Yesterday the doctor announced that the 26 year old is recovering well to be featured in the World Cup in June.
“This is the final stage of his recovery, he will be able to go to training sessions soon, and will play the friendlies,” Lasmar said in a news conference in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil head coach Tite announced his squad bursting with talent and experience in a press conference held at Rio de Janeiro
Manchester City quartet Ederson, Danilo, Fernandinho and Gabriel Jesus are among the Premier League-based players named in the squad.
They are joined by Liverpool’s in form forward Roberto Firmino and Chelsea’s play maker Willian.
The experienced full back Dani Alves is replaced by Man City’s Danilo and Corinthians’ Fagner.
Brazil, a top favourite to win the tournament are in Group E with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland, and play their first match on Sunday, 17 June.
In the previous World Cup, the five times world champions who played without injured Neymar were humiliated by Germany as they lost 7-1 in the semifinal.
Brazil squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians).
Defenders: Danilo (Manchester City), Fagner (Corinthians), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva, Marquinhos (both PSG), Miranda (Inter Milan), Pedro Geromel (Gremio).
Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (Barcelona), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Willian (Chelsea), Douglas Costa (Juventus).
Forward: Neymar (PSG), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool).
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