Why Chelsea’s Joao Pedro Pulled Out Of Brazil National Team Ahead Of International Break | OneFootball

Brazil’s football federation, CBF, confirmed that Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has withdrawn from the national team for the upcoming international break due to an injury.

Joao Pedro was one of three surprise absentees at Chelsea’s training on Tuesday, so suspicions were already that he might have a fitness issue.

Chelsea face west London neighbours Brentford on Friday evening, and it did not make sense for the striker to miss a training session just days leading up to it without a good reason.

Unfortunately, Xabi Alonso is scheduled to attend his pre-match press conference on Thursday, and without a club statement, there was no way to confirm Joao Pedro’s injury. That changed when CBF announced a squad change on Wednesday evening.

Both Joao Pedro and Estevao initially made Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the extended international break starting next week, in which they play three friendlies against Australia (twice) and India.

However, CBF have now confirmed that Fluminense striker Martinelli will replace Joao Pedro.

The official statement read: “Fluminense athlete Martinelli was called up on Wednesday, September 16, by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil National Team's friendlies against Australia and India in the upcoming FIFA international window.

“The player will replace Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, who is injured.”

A big blow to Chelsea

The extent of the injury remains unclear at this point, and it will likely have to wait for Alonso to provide more information in his press conference on Thursday afternoon.

Joao Pedro has featured in five of Chelsea’s six games across all competitions so far this season. He played full 90 minutes in each of the team’s four Premier League games.

The 24-year-old is leading the league in direct goal contributions with three goals and three assists, so losing a player in such fine form is bad news for Chelsea.

On a more positive note, Friday’s derby against Brentford will be the club’s last fixture before the three-week international break. This gives Joao Pedro the perfect window to recover, and depending on the severity of his injury, he may miss no more than one game.

Danny Welbeck has proved to be reliable as a second-choice striker for the Blues. The 35-year-old veteran striker has already scored three goals for Chelsea in four appearances, all of which were in the Carabao Cup.

That said, it is hard not to sympathise with Joao Pedro. After being left out of Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, he must have been eager to return to the national team and prove himself.

Because of changes to the FIFA international match calendar, there will be only three international breaks in the 2026/27 season: the next one, then the ones in November and March.