Panaji: Carlo Ancelotti has named several new faces in his latest squad, but fans in India won’t be robbed of the chance to see superstars in action as the Brazil manager has included the likes of Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Endrick, Estevao Willian and Joao Pedro for the upcoming friendlies.Three of the players – Vinicius (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG) and Magalhaes (Arsenal) – are on the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist.Real Madrid forward Vinicius is the biggest name of them all, having been nominated for the fifth time for football’s most prestigious individual prize. He also won FIFA’s The Best award in 2024, while center-back Marquinhos was Brazil’s captain at the last World Cup and PSG’s captain during their back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.After a disappointing FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign where Brazil were knocked out in the pre-quarterfinals by Norway, Ancelotti is now trying to build a new squad. The three friendlies during the Sept 21 to Oct 6 FIFA international window gives the Italian a chance to start afresh.Brazil will face fellow World Cuppers Australia on Sept 26 and Sept 29, and then travel to India for a historic friendly against India in Kolkata on Oct 3.Indian football fans, however, will miss seeing Neymar in action for the second time.Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 80 goals but was not included after he announced that his international career had finished, following his team’s World Cup exit against Norway in the round of 16.During his time with Al Hilal, the Saudi Arabia giants were drawn to face Mumbai City in the AFC Champions League, but the Brazilian star picked up an unfortunate injury and could not make the trip to Mumbai.Brazil team: Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Cortiba), Otavio (Cruzerio); defenders: Arthur Dias (Athletico Paranaense), Douglas Santos (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Jair Cunha (Nottingham Forest), Marquinhos (PSG), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Jr (PSV Eindhoven), Vitor Reis (Manchester City), Wesley (AS Roma); midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Danilo (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos); forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Estêvão Willian (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
