Ancelotti thanks Danilo and Alex Sandro, door stays open for Lucas Paquetá and Léo Pereira | OneFootball

According to Coluna Do Fla, Carlo Ancelotti omitted Danilo, Alex Sandro, Lucas Paquetá and Léo Pereira from his latest Brazil squad, even though all four were at the World Cup. He thanked the two veterans who have ended their Seleção cycles and indicated the door remains open for the others.

He added that he is focusing on youth development and will monitor their progress. Marquinhos, Gabriel, Bruno, Vini and Raphinha were cited as helping to steer the generational shift, without ruling out recalls for others.

Ancelotti said recent friendlies were used to prioritise youth and quality to gather fuller information on the pool. He noted that players absent from this list could be included when competitive squads are named.

After the last 16 defeat to Norway, Danilo said that age and the demands of the game had shaped his decision, adding he turns 35 next week and will now support from the stands.

A week before the announcement, Ancelotti had already named Neymar, Casemiro, Danilo and Alex Sandro among those ending their cycles.

Lucas Paquetá is 28 and would be 33 by 2030, which leaves scope for a full cycle. Léo Pereira is 30 and would be 34 at the next World Cup, also within the window the coach considers viable.

Pedro and Samuel Lino were called up for this Fifa window despite not featuring at the 2026 World Cup, which underlines Ancelotti’s focus on players in the ascendancy.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”