Chelsea star Joao Pedro speaks out on shock Brazil World Cup snub as statement issued | OneFootball

Blues striker omitted by Carlo Ancelotti, just hours before being named player of the season at Stamford Bridge

The Blues frontman was the headline absence from a final 26-man Selecao group named by head coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday night.

That is despite Joao Pedro having been a regular in recent Brazil squads, earning eight caps since being handed his senior international debut in November 2023 but still awaiting his first goal.

He has also been in fine form during his first season at Chelsea following a £60million transfer from Brighton last summer, scoring 23 times in 52 appearances across all competitions this term including 15 in the Premier League.

On Tuesday morning, just hours after being left out of the Brazil squad, Joao Pedro was officially named as Chelsea’s player of the season.

Ancelotti has instead made headlines with the inclusion of Neymar, Brazil’s iconic all-time leading scorer who has not played for his country since suffering a serious knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

Neymar, who turned 34 in February, has been back in his homeland playing for Santos in a bid to prove his value to Ancelotti, who had not previously called him up since taking over last May.

Reacting to his World Cup snub on Instagram, Joao Pedro wrote: “I tried to give my best at all times. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfil this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be.

“Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home.”

Joao Pedro’s Chelsea team-mate Andrey Santos has also been left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad, while there was no place for Blues legend Thiago Silva. Chelsea winger Estevao has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring tear.

Ancelotti’s other high-profile omissions include Tottenham forward Richarlison and Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento.

However, there was a place for Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Bournemouth winger Rayan, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli part of an attacking unit that also includes Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr, Barcelona forward Raphinha, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha, Lyon loanee Endrick and Zenit Saint-Petersburg’s Luiz Henrique.

The other Premier League names on the plane are Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes and outgoing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, plus former English top-flight stars including Ederson, Fabinho and Lucas Paqueta.