Fans react to Murillo omission after Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to France | OneFootball

Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to France in Boston was followed within hours by Carlo Ancelotti calling Girona defender Vitor Reis, prompting supporter backlash over the continued omission of former Corinthians centre-back Murillo. Ancelotti had initially chosen not to replace the injured Gabriel Magalhães.

Murillo has said to TNT Sports that a single below-par match does not make him a bad player, and he lamented a lack of continuity with the national team. He added that he believes further opportunities could come and that he will be better prepared for the next World Cup cycle.

Brazil played much of the second half with a numerical advantage yet struggled in attack and were stretched by defensive absences. Gabriel felt knee pain after last Sunday’s English League Cup involvement and did not travel to the United States. Marquinhos withdrew before kick-off with hip pain, so Ancelotti started Léo Pereira and Bremer, with Ibañez and Danilo among the substitutes.

Despite Nottingham Forest’s inconsistent Premier League campaign, Murillo has been a standout. In 2026 he has logged 2001 minutes, averaging 4.3 ball recoveries and 5.3 clearances per match.

His last Brazil call-up came in March 2025, when he started in a 4-1 defeat to Argentina. He has two senior call-ups, in 2024 and 2025 under Dorival Júnior, and has not returned to Granja Comary since.

Brazil face Croatia in a friendly on Tuesday at 21:00 Brasília time. Further friendlies against Panama and Egypt are scheduled in May and June, when the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup squad will be involved.

Source: Meu Timao