Vinicius Jr left out of Brazil squad as Coutinho recalled

Real Madrid in-form winger Vinicius Junior has been left out of Brazil’s squad for November’s double-header of World Cup qualifiers, despite impressing for his club Real Madrid with his recent form since the start of the season.

The 21-year-old playmaker has seven goals and three assists in 13 appearances for Madrid this season, including an incredible solo strike in last week’s 5-0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has so far enjoyed a good season with Real Madrid but has been omitted from the Brazil squad for November’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In his place, Philippe Coutinho has earned a recall. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

Vinicius’ 10 direct goal involvements are the most of any Brazilian player from Europe’s top five leagues, but he is not part of Tite’s plans for the games with Colombia and Argentina as he has not been mentioned in the 23 man squad revealed on Friday evening by the Brazil Football Federation.

Remarkably, no explanation has been given as to why Vinicius has been omitted despite being an important force for Tite’s side in the last international break earlier this month.

Tite has instead recalled Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who is struggling for form and has just one goal and zero assists across 10 outings in all competitions this season.

The most recent of Coutinho’s 63 caps for his country came against Peru in October 2020 and the former Liverpool man has not received a call up since then with one-year passing.

Barcelona forward Philippe Coutinho has not played for Brazil since October 2020 and has received a call up in place of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

After impressing in his first call up including finding the net in the last match of the previous international break, Leeds United winger Raphinha has received another call-up and so is Ajax’s wunderkind Antony who is also part of the Selecao’s 23-man group.

Fabinho is one of three Liverpool players to have been called, along with Roberto Firmino and Alisson, despite Jurgen Klopp saying on Friday he is “concerned” about a knee injury that will keep the midfielder out for a third game running this weekend.

Brazil has won 10 and drawn one of their opening 11 CONMEBOL qualifiers and led the way at the top of the standings, with their place at Qatar 2022 potentially being confirmed next month.

Below is the full list of the 23-man squad:

Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson Moraes (Manchester City), Gabriel Chapeco (Gremio); Danilo (Juventus), Emerson Royal (Tottenham), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Lucas Verissimo (Benfica), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva – Captain (Chelsea); Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Gerson (Marseille), Lucas Paqueta (Lyon), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona); Antony (Ajax), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), Neymar Jr (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphinha (Leeds United).

Brazil will host Colombia on Friday, 12 November before traveling to fierce rivals Argentina five days later in what will be the decider on who takes the lead at the top of the table.