Carlo Ancelotti has taken a significant gamble on Brazil's World Cup prospects. Brazil will begin their campaign against Morocco on Saturday, yet the five-time champions are not among the clear favorites like France, Argentina, and Spain.
This is partly because Ancelotti has relied on Neymar's experience and fitness, while the rest of his forward line lacks a proven center-forward. Brazil possesses immense talent in Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, but the team is betting on the potential of Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Rayan.
The former Real Madrid boss omitted Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus despite his outstanding record for Brazil. Jesus has scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in 64 appearances for his country. Additionally, four of the nation's still active top scorers were left out: Philippe Coutinho (21 goals), Richarlison (20), Gabriel Jesus (19), and Roberto Firmino (17) did not make the cut. Chelsea's Joao Pedro was also excluded.
Ancelotti spent considerable time debating whether to include Jesus due to his proven quality, and this decision may define his tenure as manager.
Neymar, the 34-year-old superstar and Brazil's leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, was given a free pass despite struggling with form and fitness. This is now a concern as he battles a calf injury to be fit for the Group match opener against Morocco, with Haiti and Scotland also in their group.
It is a race against time for Neymar to recover, but including him was a huge call for Ancelotti given his lack of form.
Jesus, meanwhile, was a key player in Brazil's last title win in the 2019 Copa America. Besides scoring in the victory against Argentina in the semi-final, he also netted the goal that restored Brazil's advantage in the final against Peru, which they won 3-1.
Jesus is attracting interest in the Premier League as he has just one year left on his Arsenal contract, and he scored in their final league game of the season at Crystal Palace.
The lack of a top center-forward to complement their world-class wingers has long been Brazil's issue, and they have not won the World Cup since 2002.
If they fail to deliver this time, all eyes will be on Ancelotti for his squad selections, even if they are not among the red-hot favorites.
In Brazil, they always expect to win, and there is never any room for excuses.
