Weverton, from Baixada da Sobral to a second World Cup call-up | OneFootball

Grêmio’s 38-year-old goalkeeper Weverton, raised in Rio Branco’s Baixada da Sobral, has been named in Brazil’s World Cup squad for a second time, becoming the first footballer from Acre to receive two call-ups.

According to Globo.com, the call from head coach Carlo Ancelotti sees him join Alisson and Ederson, having seen off Bento of Al-Nassr, Hugo Souza of Corinthians and John of Nottingham Forest from a 55-man longlist.

Speaking a day after the announcement, he said he was delighted to have another chance to try to become world champion and stressed his roots, noting Acre’s lack of footballing tradition and the scarcity of opportunities, and describing the achievement as deeply gratifying.

Weverton came through Juventus-AC after being spotted at Escolinha Recriança by coach Illimani Suares at age 12. Initially a striker, he was persuaded to move in goal, where his agility and explosiveness quickly stood out, leading to the 2006 Copa São Paulo with Juventus-AC.

From there he earned chances with Corinthians’ academy, then Oeste, Botafogo-SP, América-RN, Portuguesa and Athletico, before joining Palmeiras, the pinnacle of his club career. Between 2018 and 2025 he played 454 games for the Verdão and won 12 trophies, becoming an idol.

He was also a key figure in Brazil’s historic Olympic gold in 2016, saving a penalty in the final against Germany. Unlike the previous World Cup cycle, he featured less between 2022 and 2026 and was considered a surprise pick in the final squad.

Source: Globo.com