🤔 Rodrygo injury forces Ancelotti to rethink Brazil squad for Copa

The Brazilian National Team suffered a major blow with the loss of Rodrygo.

The Real Madrid forward suffered a rupture of the cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury that requires six months to a year of recovery, officially ruling him out of the World Cup.

Rodrygo was a central figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s system and the top scorer of the current cycle for the National Team, with eight goals.

Since his return in the match against South Korea in October, he had started in three out of four games.

Playing on the left side in the 4-2-4 formation, but with the freedom to move inside and get into the box, his versatility was one of the Italian coach’s trump cards.

Neymar back in the spotlight

With the spot now open, Neymar’s name is gaining momentum again, as he has similar characteristics to Rodrygo. However, Ancelotti has made it clear that Santos’ number 10 needs to prove he is in ideal physical condition.

After undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the meniscus of his left knee in December, Neymar only returned to play on February 15. Since then, he has played three matches for Santos, unable to prevent the team’s elimination from the Paulistão by Novorizontino, but scoring two goals in the victory over Vasco in the Brasileirão.

Changes to the squad list?

Rodrygo’s injury could also alter the overall composition of the final squad list, according to information from O Globo.

Instead of bringing another forward with the same characteristics, Ancelotti may opt to call up an extra midfielder or a new center forward.

The first indications of how the Italian coach will solve this puzzle will be seen in the squad announcement on March 16, for the friendlies against France and Croatia.

What about Brazil’s attack?

The absence of Real Madrid’s number 10 opens up a range of possibilities for the coaching staff, directly impacting other key players in the squad:

• Gabriel Martinelli: The injury virtually guarantees the presence of the Arsenal forward (currently leading the English Premier League) in the World Cup squad. He had already played on the left wing in the victories over Paraguay and Chile in the Qualifiers. However, Martinelli has a different profile from Rodrygo, being more of a traditional winger and less versatile in drifting through the middle, which would require adjustments from the team.
• Raphinha: The Barcelona player emerges as the least drastic tactical alternative. Used to playing on the left for the Spanish club, Raphinha also offers the versatility to play on both flanks or centrally. Interestingly, he and Rodrygo had not yet played together under Ancelotti due to injuries at different times.
• Vini Jr: Another option would be to move Vinícius Júnior to the left side. However, this would take the number 7 out of the position where he has performed best under Ancelotti: playing more centrally, close to the defenders, with the freedom to drift wide.

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