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PSV captain Mauro Jr. receives first Brazil call-up as Ancelotti reveals new-look squad

PSV captain Mauro Jr. has been called up for Brazil
PSV captain Mauro Jr. has been called up for BrazilPhoto by PETER LOUS / NURPHOTO / NURPHOTO VIA AFP

PSV captain Mauro Junior was called up to the Brazilian national team for the first time on Wednesday.

Mauro Jr., 27, last represented his country at the Under-23 level in November 2020, when he played a total of seven minutes in friendlies against South Korea and Egypt.

The versatile Brazilian played for the Canarinho in the U15, U16, U17, U20, and U23, but was never called up for the senior squad.

On Wednesday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti announced his 26-man squad for the former world champions' friendlies against Australia on September 25th and 29th and India on October 3rd, with Mauro Junior making his long-awaited debut in the Selecao.

The left-back and midfielder was reportedly looking for a way out at PSV in order to get on Ancelotti's radar, but stayed put in Eindhoven and was named captain with Jerdy Schouten out until 2027.

With the armband around Mauro's arm, PSV have started the season well, with the reigning Eredivisie champions on a four-game win streak and having beaten rivals Ajax 3-1 in Amsterdam last weekend.

New-look squad

Ancelotti called up just ten names from Brazil's World Cup campaign in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with no goalkeepers from the tournament making the squad for the upcoming friendlies. Instead, Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), and Otávio (Cruzeiro) have been called up. 

Besides Mauro Jr., several other players also make their maiden appearance in Brazil's squad, including Matheuzinho, Arthur Dias, Breno Bidon, Gabriel Bontempo, Pedro, and Samuel Lino.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Otavio (Cruzeiro), Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba)

Defenders: Douglas Santos (Zenit), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Mauro Júnior (PSV), Wesley (Roma), Arthur Dias (Athletico-PR), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Jair Cunha (Nottingham Forest), Marquinhos (PSG), Vitor Reis (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Bruno Guimarães (Arsenal), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos)

ForwardsEndrick (Real Madrid), Estêvão (Chelsea), João Pedro (Chelsea), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Samuel Lino (Flamengo), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)