Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has decided to leave out Real Madrid stars Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes from the Seleção’s squad for the upcoming international break.
Brazil will face Chile and Bolivia on September 5 and 10 in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Seleção have already secured their ticket to the tournament after confirming qualification in June with two games to spare.
According to a report from Marca, Vinícius was automatically ruled out of the Chile clash due to suspension, while the team’s early qualification made these fixtures less decisive. However, the Spanish outlet stressed that the main reason behind the decision is the duo’s dip in form with Real Madrid at the start of the La Liga season.
Ancelotti, who previously coached both players during his second spell at Real Madrid (2021–2025), is also looking to test more domestic-based players in September, given that many European-based stars are heavily engaged in the early stages of their club campaigns.
Rodrygo’s situation at Madrid further complicates matters. The forward did not feature at all in the club’s 1-0 win over Osasuna in their league opener on Tuesday, raising doubts about his role under new head coach Xabi Alonso as the transfer window nears its close.
While Vinícius and Rodrygo remain high-profile figures, Ancelotti appears to be prioritizing experimentation and long-term squad depth, especially with Brazil’s World Cup qualification already secured.
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