Zico rues Pedro missing World Cup, blames Gerson for Brazil snub | OneFootball

Pedro and Gerson were left off Brazil’s squad list for the World Cup

Brazil’s squad for the World Cup has been announced, but Zico saw two omissions in Carlo Ancelotti’s selections. That’s because the Flamengo idol pointed to Pedro as Brazil’s best striker, while Gerson would have been at the World Cup if he had stayed at Mengo.

— If Gerson had stayed at Flamengo, I have no doubt that he could be a starter for Brazil today. I think Pedro is the best striker we have in Brazil. I expected to see him on this list — Zico told ESPN (pay-TV channel).

Why did Zico want Pedro at the World Cup?

Mengo’s number 9 has 17 goals in 26 matches and is currently the top scorer in Brazil’s top flight. However, Ancelotti did not call him up during the pre-World Cup cycle and opted, for example, for Igor Thiago, a striker who is in the running for a Premier League standout award.

How would Gerson have been a Brazil starter if he had stayed at Flamengo?

The midfielder wore the captain’s armband for Mengo and was an unquestioned starter for Brazil, but he chose to move to Zenit (RUS). As a result, the player stopped being called up during his six months playing in Russian football.

In an effort to get back on Ancelotti’s radar, the midfielder decided to move back to Brazilian football. By then, however, the Italian had already found new options for Brazil’s midfield, and the Seleção will have four Flamengo players at the World Cup.

Who are the Flamengo players called up?

So, Gerson watched Ancelotti name Danilo, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro and Lucas Paquetá. O Mais Querido, however, could also have players called up by Uruguay, Ecuador and Colombia.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.