Léo Pereira on first Brazil call-up: “I’m ready for it” | OneFootball

Center-back Léo Pereira celebrated his first call-up to Brazil’s senior national team and stressed that he feels “ready” for the opportunity, in an interview with CBF TV. Considered one of the top defenders in Brazilian football in recent years, he spoke about fulfilling his dream of reaching the Seleção and his excitement about working with coach Carlo Ancelotti and “the best players in the world.”

“It was a goal of mine and of my whole family to get here and represent a nation and the greatest national team in the world. I’m very happy with this opportunity, I’m getting to know my new teammates, but I was very well received. I hope to contribute and represent at the level expected, because the best players in the world are here. I’m here to complement the group and give my very best to contribute as much as possible,” he said.

“We all know the responsibility of wearing the national team shirt, but I feel that I’m ready for this moment, and I’m trying to keep things calm. It’s a huge privilege to work with Ancelotti, with so many other players who have won multiple titles. The idea is to make the most of it, take in every word, every detail that is passed on to me and the other players, so that I can keep growing more and more,” he added.

Léo Pereira in an interview with CBF TV in OrlandoCredits: Joilson Marconne/CBF

The Curitiba-born Paraná native has played for Flamengo since 2020 and shares the dressing room with players who have a history with the national team. Right after his call-up was confirmed, he spoke with some of them to understand what the internal atmosphere of the Seleção was like.

Named to the 2025 Brasileirão Betano Team of the Season, and having been one of the pillars of the Rio club’s titles in recent years, he highlighted the importance of the team in his development and spoke about the resilience he showed during the instability of his early days at Flamengo.

“My time at Flamengo has been marked by my resilience and by the fact that I, my family, and those closest to me never stopped believing. I had a bad start at Flamengo and, from 2022 onward, I managed to find very good consistency and win several titles with my teammates. It’s very difficult to become a champion and win multiple titles in your career, and I think those are some of the factors that have put me in the national team today,” he said.

Léo Pereira during training with the Brazilian national team in OrlandoCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

The 30-year-old player was one of those selected for the friendlies against France and Croatia, in this final FIFA window before the final squad list for the World Cup. He explained that his preparation — mentally, physically, and technically — for the matches began as soon as the call-up was announced.

“Preparation for these matches started a few days ago. From the moment we find out we’re coming here, we already start looking for information about who the opponents will be. Time is short, but we have to take in every detail that is passed on so that we can play a great match. Mentality also matters a lot at this moment, along with the physical and technical side. Putting those factors together, I think we can play a great game,” he said.

Léo Pereira listens closely to instructions from Francesco Mauri, national team assistant coach Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

Brazil faces France at 5 p.m. Brasília time this Thursday (26) at Gillette Stadium in Boston.

Memories of the Youth National Teams and Orlando

Although this is his first time with the senior national team, the Seleção is nothing new for Léo Pereira, who played in the 2013 South American U-17 Championship and FIFA U-17 World Cup, as well as the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In those competitions, he helped Brazil reach the final of the U-20 World Cup, where the team was beaten 2-1 by Serbia in the final.

“Any call-up is special, it comes with its own anxiety and weight. I had very memorable moments with the youth teams, I also experienced very happy moments, and others when we came close with the youth national teams, but nothing compares to what I’m feeling now, which is indescribable. I’m trying as much as possible to enjoy this moment. With the support of my family and my teammates, I’ll represent in the best way possible,” he said.

Léo Pereira during training with the Brazilian national team in OrlandoCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

The city of Orlando is also not new to the center-back, who played for Orlando City in 2017 — on loan from Athletico-PR, the club where he came through the ranks. Although his spell was brief, Léo emphasized that his time in U.S. soccer was important in helping him learn from experienced players how to behave like a high-level athlete.

“I had a brief spell in Orlando in 2017, playing for Orlando City. It was quick, but it taught me a lot in life, especially because of my teammates at the time, who were very professional. They gave me a great reference for how a high-level athlete had to perform and take care of himself on a daily basis. I have good memories, I have friends here, and it’s a city I’m very fond of,” he concluded.

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