Flamengo equal 1958 World Cup mark with four Brazil call-ups | OneFootball

Flamengo have matched their 1958 benchmark with four Brazil call-ups for the World Cup, the most by a Brazilian club since São Paulo in 1994. According to Globo.com, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Léo Pereira and Paquetá are in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In 1958, Flamengo also sent four to Sweden, Moacir, Zagallo, Joel and Dida. This year’s mix is more defensive, two centre-backs, a full-back and a midfielder used as a holding player.

Back then, only the 22-year-old Moacir did not play, he was understudy to Botafogo great Didi. Zagallo, Joel and Dida started the 3-0 opener against Austria, though the goals came from Palmeiras forward Mazzola and Botafogo full-back Nilton Santos.

Dida, the youngest at 24, lost his place to Vasco striker Vavá after the 0-0 draw with England and did not feature again. Joel also began that match but was then replaced by Garrincha of Botafogo.

The tournament introduced Pelé, then of Santos, who came in for the third game, a 2-0 win over the Soviet Union, taking Mazzola’s spot. Of the attackers, only Zagallo kept his place from start to finish.

Beyond 1958 and 2026, Flamengo had three players called up in 1938, 1954 and 1982, including Leônidas da Silva, Walter, Domingos da Guia, Índio, Rubens, Dequinha, Leandro, Junior and Zico. The club have supplied 39 World Cup call-ups to the Seleção, third in Brazil behind São Paulo with 46 and Botafogo with 48.

Source: Globo.com