Vanderson injury gives Paulo Henrique a chance at Vasco as Ancelotti staff watch | OneFootball

With Vanderson sidelined, Paulo Henrique has a chance to impress. Ancelotti staff will be at São Januário on Thursday for the Palmeiras game, and Brazil’s right-back slots remain open ahead of the next World Cup.

According to Globo.com, Monaco’s Vanderson needs surgery on his left thigh after a muscle injury, ruling him out for at least three months and all but ending his World Cup hopes. Éder Militão, used lately at right-back for Brazil, will also miss this international window through injury.

Paulo Henrique made Ancelotti’s past two squads and was voted the Brasileirão’s best right-back in 2025, but his form dipped, especially from the Copa do Brasil semi-finals and final.

In 2026 he struggled early, then foot pain kept him out and Puma Rodríguez took the shirt. He returned against Fluminense, Fernando Diniz’s final game as Vasco coach, but underperformed.

Against Santos he made the mistake that led to a 2-1 defeat, finished by Neymar.

There is hope he can recover under Renato Gaúcho’s new staff. CBF general coordinator Rodrigo Caetano and performance analyst Thomaz Araújo will be in the stands.

For Brazil, PH featured against South Korea and Japan, starting versus Japan, playing 90 minutes and scoring.

Next Monday Ancelotti names his squad for 26 and 31 March in the United States, the last before the final World Cup list. The squad assembles in Orlando on 23 March. Brazil face France on 26 March in Boston, then return to play Croatia. The final call-up is set for 19 May.

Source: Globo.com