Brazil have announced their 26-man squad ahead of this summer's Copa America in the United States.
The Selecao have been afforded the luxury of adding three extra troops to their army after CONMEBOL confirmed on May 16 that competing nations are allowed to bring 26 players to the tournament, compared to the originally-devised total of 23.
After losing three straight World Cup qualifiers at the end of 2023, former manager Fernando Diniz was removed from his position at Brazil, with veteran coach Dorival Junior now tasked with guiding his country towards continental glory.
The 62-year-old has revealed his hand relatively early in the build-up to this summer's competition, with CONMEBOL demanding that final squads are submitted no later than June 12.
Taking their spot in Group D of Copa America alongside Colombia, Paraguay and Costa Rica, the Selecao will be favourites to advance as section winners, however they will look to avoid early-tournament complacency, especially after mixed results over the past 12 months.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa America, who has been selected and who are the high-profile names to miss out.
Which Brazilian stars have been selected?
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After missing the March friendlies against England and Spain due to a long-term hamstring injury, Liverpool's Allison Becker returns to the Brazil squad this summer, alongside fellow goalkeepers Bento and Rafael, with the former making his international debut during the win over the Three Lions at Wembley earlier this year.
Having impressed with La Liga's surprise package Girona this term, Yan Couto will be looking to play a significant role at right-back for the Selecao, however the Manchester City man faces serious competition on the right of the backline from Juventus regular Danilo, who has made 56 appearances for Brazil over a 13-year international career to date.
Despite suffering a mild dislocation of his shoulder during Arsenal's final Premier League match of the season, Gabriel Magalhaes has been selected in the 26-man squad, with Paris Saint-Germain duo Marquinhos and Lucas Beraldo joining Gleison Bremer as further options at the heart of the defence.
Missing seven months at the beginning of the season due to an ACL injury, Real Madrid's Eder Militao has fought back ahead of schedule to be included for the Selecao in the United States, with Wendell of Porto and Guilherme Arana of Atletico Mineiro making up the rest of Brazil's rearguard options.
A beneficiary of CONMEBOL increasing the squad sizes from 23 to 26, midfielder Ederson represents a late addition to the Brazilian ranks, fresh from lifting the Europa League with Atalanta BC in Dublin, while Premier League regulars Joao Gomes, Andreas Pereira and Douglas Luiz have all made the cut.
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Also familiar faces to fans of the English game, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta have been included in the 26-man contingent, with the pair playing crucial roles in the matches against England and Spain during March's international break.
Set to link up on the continental stage as well as in club football, Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo have been selected to represent their country at this summer's competition in the United States, with the pair hoping to fire their nation towards the Copa America crown.
Finding the net at Wembley back in March - and becoming the fourth-youngest goalscorer for Brazil in the process - 17-year-old Endrick will experience his first-ever major tournament in senior football, with the attacking prodigy set to rival Porto's Evanilson for minutes in attack.
After withdrawing from Selecao selection in March because of a foot injury, Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli will be analysed for the first time under new management at national-team level, with Pepe, Barcelona's Raphinha and Savio completing the list of offensive options for the South American giants.
Which Brazilian stars will miss the Copa America?
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Although known for quite some time now, the absence of all-time leading goalscorer Neymar at this summer's competition is a massive blow to Brazil's chances of lifting the trophy, with the former Barcelona and PSG star picking up an ACL injury while on international duty in October.
Despite being called up to the initial 23-man squad, Man City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes has been forced to pull out of contention due to a fractured eye socket, with the Premier League winner sustaining the issue following a collision with Tottenham Hotspur and Argentina defender Cristian Romero on May 14.
Another English-based casualty following Brazil's squad announcement for the Copa America is Spurs forward Richarlison, who - despite topping the scoring charts for his country at the 2022 World Cup - has not been favoured on the international scene since Dorival Junior arrived in January.
There is also no place on the plane for Manchester United's Casemiro, with the former captain of the Selecao struggling - often in the middle of defence - for a Red Devils side which slumped to an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League this term under Erik ten Hag, however an FA Cup triumph over Man City went some way to improving the mood at Old Trafford.
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After helping Arsenal to challenge Pep Guardiola's troops for the English crown once again, Gabriel Jesus has denied a potential appearance at the Copa America, while Man United's Antony will also have the summer off after a highly-criticised term at the Theatre of Dreams.
Suffering with injury issues at Wolverhampton Wanderers during the second half of the season, Matheus Cunha will not be joining clubmate Gomes in the United States, despite the 25-year-old netting 12 goals and providing seven assists in 32 Premier League appearances.
A number of men who featured during the March friendlies have not been selected to travel to this summer's tournament, including Fabricio Bruno, Pablo Maia, Andre - all of whom currently play their club football in Brazil.
Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa America
Goalkeepers: Allison Becker (Liverpool), Bento (Athletico Paranaense), Rafael (Sao Paulo)
Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Manchester City), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Lucas Beraldo (Paris Saint-Germain), Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Wendell (Porto), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Ederson (Atalanta BC)
Attackers: Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Raphinha (Barcelona), Savio (Troyes), Pepe (Porto), Endrick (Palmeiras), Evanilson (Porto)
Manager - Dorival Junior
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After over two decades of being part of the furniture in management at the top level of Brazilian club football, Dorival Junior was unveiled as the new head coach of Brazil in January, bringing an end to a lifelong pursuit to lead his nation on international stage.
The 62-year-old has been youthful in how he has expressed his delight and excitement of being handed the opportunity to manage Selecao, however there is also a steely determination and focus from Dorival, who is keen to bring his crop of stars into new period of South American dominance.
Considered as a bit of a journeyman coach in Brazil, Dorival's biggest achievement was undoubtedly lifting the 2022 Copa Libertadores crown in charge of Flamengo, where he enjoyed a 63% win percentage during his second spell at the club between June 2022 and November 2022.
Following the three straight defeats in World Cup qualifying to Uruguay, Colombia and arch rivals Brazil at the end of 2023, the former Sao Paulo man has spoken of his desire to reconnect the country with their national side - a relationship which was damaged during the latter stages of Fernando Diniz's reign.
Group & Fixtures
June 25: Brazil 0-0 Costa Rica (2am | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California)
June 29: Paraguay 1-4 Brazil (2am | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada)
July 3: Brazil 1-1 Colombia (2am | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California)
All kickoff times BST
