From Vasco peak to overlooked: how Paulo Henrique missed the World Cup despite Wesley’s cut | OneFootball

Wesley’s removal from Brazil’s squad on Sunday might have opened a route for Paulo Henrique, but Carlo Ancelotti instead called Atalanta midfielder Éderson to complete the 26. According to Globo.com, the Vasco right-back was one of two options in the 55-man provisional list.

His stock was at its highest in 2025, when he was named the Brasileirão’s best right-back. That form earned a call for November friendlies against South Korea and Japan, and he scored the opener in Tokyo.

After that his level dipped. He played through foot pain in the decisive Copa do Brasil stages late last year, then missed the start of this season for treatment.

He struggled in the semi-finals against Fluminense, scoring an own goal in the second leg. In the finals with Corinthians he still could not reach previous levels.

A 2026 reset did not arrive, as he lost his guaranteed place and rotated with Puma Rodríguez under Fernando Diniz and Renato Gaúcho.

Before the final call he impressed against Paysandu in the Copa do Brasil fifth round, then left São Januário in tears after a collision, diagnosed with a right ankle sprain.

The report said he wanted to face Internacional regardless, seeing it as a last chance to impress Ancelotti. The medical department ruled him out after tests confirmed the injury. He returned only for the second half of the 31 May defeat to Atlético-MG, the last match before the World Cup break.

Source: Globo.com