Ancelotti eyes Flamengo defender for Brazil squad | OneFootball

Brazil National Team Coach May Innovate in the Next Call-Up by Including Léo Pereira

There are only two call-ups left before the World Cup, and Brazil’s coach Carlo Ancelotti has stated that only a few details remain to finalize the squad list. Among the positions, the Italian is looking for a center-back, which draws attention to a player from Flamengo.

This is because, according to journalist Pedro Ivo, Ancelotti wants a left-footed defender. So, Léo Pereira is one of the options he likes. Murillo, from Nottingham Forest (ENG), and Lucas Beraldo, from PSG (FRA), were the last ones tested for the position.

Why Does Ancelotti Want a Left-Footed Player?

Thus, the Flamengo center-back is an option alongside Gabriel Magalhães, from Arsenal (ENG), who is also left-footed. Therefore, the Flamengo player may finally get the chance he has dreamed of, as the athlete himself has said.

“I get frustrated (about not being called up) (…) When I see that I’m ready, prepared, making things happen, things are flowing, and I’m at the best moment of my career… I said in an interview the other day: what more can I do? What’s missing?,” vented Léo Pereira in November 2025.

Has Léo Pereira Ever Been Called Up?

The left-footed center-back from Flamengo has never been called up to the senior Brazil National Team. However, he was frequently called up to play for Brazil’s U-17 and U-20 teams.

Could Any Other Flamengo Center-Back Be Called Up?

In 2025, Ancelotti frequently called up Léo Ortiz and Danilo. Therefore, it is quite possible that at least one of these athletes will be on the Italian’s final list, whose next opponents are France and Croatia.

When Is the World Cup?

Brazil will make its World Cup debut against Morocco on June 13, in Group C, in the United States. Besides the Seleção, Flamengo may also provide players to other national teams.

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