Brazil president has called for including domestic players in the national team instead of selecting players who ply their trades in Europe.
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Brazil president wants local stars to feature in national teamCalled to exclude stars from European leaguesBrazil beat Chile 2-1Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Following their loss against Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifying game last month, Brazil came back with a win over Chile on Thursday. The Selecao had conceded an early goal, however, strikes from Igor Jesus and Luis Henrique helped them secure important three points in the qualifying rounds.
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In the absence of star attacker Vinicius Jr, Botafogo forward Henrique and Jesus stepped up for Dorival Junior's side. After the impressive show by the local stars, Brazil's president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has argued that Selecao should include more players from their own league instead of selecting players who ply their trades in Europe.
WHAT BRAZIL PRESIDENT SAID
In a radio interview, Brazil's head of state claimed, "Those who are abroad are not better than those here. In Brazil, there are good players of the same quality (as those abroad), so give opportunities to those who are here."
Per beIN Sports, Lula added that he recently met the president of the Brazil Football Federation (CBF) and he urged him to look at the local talents instead of going after stars like Vinicius, Rodrigo, Militao, and Endrick from Real Madrid, or Raphinha from Barcelona.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR BRAZIL?
The Selecao will be back in action on Wednesday as they take on Peru on home soil in another crucial World Cup qualifying tie.