Sau Paulo: Star Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar returns to the Brazilian national team after being out of action for nearly two months following an injury while Dani Alves had to be left out as coach Tite named their 23-member final squad Monday for World Cup in Russia.
Earlier, in February Tite had confirmed 16 of the 23 he would take to Russia, though last week he was dealt a blow as right-back Alves was forced to rule himself out of contention with a serious knee injury. Alves has been replaced Manchester City’s Danilo and Corinthians’ Fagner.
Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, has been included in the squad along with his team-mate in Ukraine, Taison, the 30-year-old striker. However, David Luiz has been left out.
Atletico Madrid’s Felipe Luis has been selected as back-up for the Real Madrid left-back Marcelo, meaning there is no place for Juventus defender Alex Sandro.
The squad will get together in Brazil May21 before travelling to London a week later, basing themselves at Tottenham Hotspur’s training centre before friendlies against Croatia at Anfield June 3 and Austria in Vienna June 10.
Brazil who are clubbed with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland in Group E and are expected to arrive in Russia June 11 before their opener against Swiss June 17.
The squad:
(Goalkeepers) Alisson, Ederson, Cassio; (Defenders) Danilo, Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marquinhos, Pedro Geromel, Marcelo, Filipe Luis; (Midfielders) Casemiro, Paulinho, Fernandinho, Renato Augusto, Philippe Coutinho, Fred, Willian; (Forwards) Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Douglas Costa, Taison