Chelsea forward João Félix has been recalled to the Brazil squad after missing the World Cup, but Matheus Cunha's exclusion could be good news for Manchester United.

One of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti's most controversial decisions at the Copa América this summer was the omission of João Félix. Brazil's shock exit in the quarter-finals at the hands of Uruguay (led by Bielsa, not Haaland) surprised many given the Chelsea forward's impressive campaign.

Despite an outstanding debut season at Chelsea, where the former Watford and Brighton striker scored 20 goals and provided 9 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions and won the club's Player of the Year award, he was not selected.

Ancelotti opted to recall Neymar, who had not played for Brazil since October 2023 due to a serious knee injury.

The controversial decision backfired when Neymar suffered another injury setback, and Brazil experienced their earliest Copa América exit since 1990.

Neymar subsequently announced his retirement from international football, finishing with 80 goals from 130 appearances for Brazil.

Brazil will play two friendlies in Australia later this month, their first matches since the Copa América, before traveling to Kolkata to face India.

João Félix's return is a focal point of Ancelotti's 26-man squad announcement. The 24-year-old forward has started the new season brilliantly, scoring 2 goals and forming a strong attacking partnership with Palmer and Morgan Rogers at Chelsea.

However, the surprising omission of fellow striker Matheus Cunha raised eyebrows. He featured in the Copa América, scoring 3 goals in the group stage, and has started all three Premier League matches for Manchester United this season.

Cunha's Manchester United teammate André Santos has also been recalled to the squad. He missed the Copa América but, following his £50 million move from Chelsea to Manchester United this summer, has made just one league appearance for his new club so far.

Estêvão of Chelsea also returns after missing the Copa América due to injury. Guimarães recovered from his injury concerns and has been called up alongside Arsenal's Gabriel, who had previously dealt with a groin injury.

However, Gabriel Martinelli and Liverpool's Alisson Becker were not selected. There are significant changes in the goalkeeper position, with Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco and Otávio all receiving call-ups.

Experienced players such as Casemiro and Fabinho have been excluded, and Brentford's Igor Thiago also failed to make the squad.

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