From Xerém to the world: Fluminense names in Brazil's 2026 list | OneFootball

The alleged leaked preliminary list of possible Brazil national team call-ups for the 2026 World Cup has once again highlighted the strength of Xerém and Fluminense’s importance in developing players for football. Among players who came through the club’s youth ranks and historic idols of the senior squad, several names linked to Flu appear as options for Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The list brings together players spread across the world’s top leagues and reinforces a trait that has followed Fluminense for decades: the ability to discover, develop, and maximize international-level talent.

Thiago Silva: the “Monster”

Among all the names on the list, few have as strong a connection with Fluminense as Thiago Silva. First rising to national prominence with the club, the center-back began his story with Tricolor between 2006 and 2008, a period in which he became one of the top defenders in Brazilian football.

Seen by many fans as one of the greatest center-backs in the club’s history, Thiago was part of the 2008 Copa Libertadores campaign, one of the most memorable in Fluminense’s history. In that edition, he delivered unforgettable performances against São Paulo and Boca Juniors, cementing the nickname “Monster” at the Maracanã.

In addition to the continental runner-up finish, he won the 2007 Copa do Brasil with Flu before beginning a huge career in Europe, playing for Milan, PSG, and Chelsea. In Europe, he won a Serie A title in 2010 and an Italian Super Cup with Milan; seven Ligue 1 titles and several domestic cups with PSG; and a Champions League in 2020-21, the 2021 UEFA Super Cup, and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea. He thus established himself as one of the best center-backs in the world of his generation, standing out for his leadership and defensive ability.

For Brazil, he has made 113 appearances and captained the team in World Cups. He is now aiming for his fifth World Cup appearance (2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022). Although he has not appeared in call-ups since Brazil’s elimination by Croatia in 2022, Ancelotti has already said he does not care about age, and if Thiago is doing well, he could be called up.

Ibañez went from Xerém to Italian football

Another recent academy product linked to the preliminary list is the versatile Roger Ibañez. Developed by Fluminense, the defender was promoted to the senior team in 2018 and quickly drew attention for his combination of physical strength, speed, and defensive aggression.

Even with little time in the first team, the center-back attracted European interest after strong performances in the 2018 Brasileirão and was eventually transferred to Atalanta. In Italy, he also played for Roma, where he gained international recognition before moving to Saudi football.

To this day, Ibañez maintains a close relationship with Fluminense, often acknowledging the club’s importance in his development.

Fabinho and Gerson: Xerém’s gems

Fabinho is perhaps one of the cases fans remember most as a talent who left too soon. Developed at Xerém, the midfielder even played out of position at right-back before moving to European football at a very young age.

At Monaco, and especially at Liverpool, he became one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. For the English club, he was a key figure in the Champions League, Premier League, and Club World Cup triumphs, earning enormous international recognition.

Another name strongly linked to the Tricolor academy is Gerson. Considered one of Xerém’s greatest talents of the past decade, the midfielder made his senior debut at a very young age and quickly earned the nickname “Coringa” for his versatility on the pitch.

A Fluminense standout in the 2015 Brasileirão, he was sold to Roma in one of the club’s biggest deals at the time. Despite the strong connection he later built with Flamengo, Gerson is still remembered by many fans for his Xerém roots and the talent he showed early on at Flu.

Luiz Henrique and João Pedro represent Xerém’s new generation

Among the forwards, Luiz Henrique and João Pedro symbolize the new international crop produced by Fluminense.

Luiz Henrique stood out between 2021 and 2022 for his explosive performances at the Maracanã, drawing attention for his dribbling, speed, and ability to decide matches. Developed at Xerém, he was sold to Betis in one of the club’s biggest recent deals and later transferred to Botafogo.

Even from afar, he has never hidden his affection for Fluminense and often shows his connection to the club on social media and in interviews.

João Pedro, meanwhile, made his senior debut as a teenager and quickly became one of the great gems of the Tricolor academy. The forward became known for his precocious maturity, intelligent movement, and ease in finishing.

Before moving to Watford, he scored important goals for Flu and left fans with huge expectations. In England, he developed technically until earning a place among the leading Brazilian forwards of today, which later led him to Chelsea.

Pedro and Richarlison: different paths after Fluminense

Pedro is perhaps one of the most emotional names on the list for Fluminense fans. Developed at Xerém, the striker exploded between 2017 and 2018, becoming the team’s main attacking reference.

In addition to his important goals at the Maracanã, he made a remarkable recovery from a serious knee injury and was decisive in the fight against relegation in 2018. At the time, he was compared to some of the club’s great historic center-forwards.

His transfer to Fiorentina generated huge repercussions, but it was his later move to Flamengo that added even more emotional weight to his story. To this day, Fla-Flu matches involving Pedro carry a special atmosphere because of the striker’s Tricolor roots.

Richarlison also has an important history with Flu. Signed in 2016, he quickly stood out for his intensity, physical commitment, and ability to play in different attacking roles.

He stayed until the end of 2017 and was an important player before moving to Watford. He later built a standout career in the Premier League and with Brazil, especially because of his charisma and the strong connection he built with the yellow shirt in recent World Cups.

Hugo Souza and Caio Henrique had brief spells at Flu

Among the goalkeepers, Hugo Souza had a short spell in the Tricolor academy in 2008 before continuing his path at other clubs in Rio de Janeiro football.

Caio Henrique, meanwhile, underwent an important transformation at Fluminense in 2019. Loaned from Atlético de Madrid, he initially arrived as a midfielder, but ended up being converted into a left-back by Fernando Diniz.

The change was fundamental to the development of his career. After standing out greatly at Flu, he moved to Monaco, where he established himself in European football.

Xerém remains a global hallmark of Fluminense

The presence of so many names linked to Fluminense on a possible Brazil call-up list reinforces the international weight Xerém has built over recent decades.

Between Champions League winners, Premier League stars, historic club leaders, and recent talents spread across Europe, Tricolor continues to show strength in developing talent and keeping alive one of the identities most valued by its fans: the ability to produce players for the highest level of world football.

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