Andreas Pereira insists Brazil are ready to take on England at Wembley… as the five-time world champions target a new beginning under a third coach in 13 months
Brazil’s new beginning broke in leafy Hertfordshire with Dorival Junior, their third boss since the World Cup in Qatar, gathering his squad for the first time and hammering home the message about what they represent and what their target must be.
They are five times world champions and, despite a dreadful start to the qualifying campaign and more than a year of leaderless drift, nothing other than striking gold once again in the United States in 2026 will do, Dorival told his players.
Staring back at the 61-year-old was a room full of talented footballers. Two young Real Madrid forwards in Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, and Endrick, the exciting Palmeiras teenager who will move to the Bernabeu Stadium when he turns 18, in July.
Several would be familiar faces for an English audience, including Richarlison of Tottenham, Lucas Paqueta of West Ham, Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle, Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa and Andreas Pereira of Fulham, and there were a small cluster of fans outside the team HQ on the prowl for selfies.
This, however, hardly feels like a vintage Brazil. Certainly not one to stir the blood as it did when Pele led the squad to defend their world title in 1966 or when Zico and Socrates came in 1981 or when Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos came in 1995.
Dorival Junior gathered his Brazil squad together for the first time ahead of facing England
The former Sao Paulo coach is Brazil’s third different manager since the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Vinicius Junior and rising star Endrick are among the outstanding talents in the Brazil squad
Perhaps there are simply fewer secrets in modern football. We are fortunate to have the world’s finest players beamed into our living rooms. Footballing cultures are less distinct than ever and so a Brazilian team in London carries less cachet than it did.
Even so, there are genuine concerns about the state of this great – arguably the greatest – footballing nation.
It is 22 years and counting since World Cup glory in Japan, and Brazil are in danger of being lost in transition.
They continue to produce thousands of elite professional footballers, perhaps more than ever, but with them scattered around the globe can they really hope to forge this wealth of talent into a winning unit again?
In this squad, there is no Neymar, injured and surely nearing the end of his record-breaking international career. There is no Thiago Silva, now 39. No Roberto Firmino, Fabinho or Willian all into their twilight.
The Brazilian FA waited through two interim appointments in the hope of landing Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager to succeed Tite, who stepped aside after a quarter-final exit in Qatar.
Ancelotti fluttered his eyelashes before opting to sign a new contract at Real Madrid in January, so they turned to Dorival, luring him away from his work at Sao Paulo in the hope he could rescue the future.
Now, injuries have devastated his first selection, an exodus of unavailability led by their two senior goalkeepers Alisson of Liverpool and Ederson.
Dorival has three ‘keepers in his squad and none of them have a cap.
Dorival has been tasked with rebuilding Brazil, who are sixth in South America’s qualifying standings for the 2026 World Cup after three defeats in their opening six matches
Brazil have not won in their last four games and lost at home to Argentina back in November
Injuries have disrupted Dorival’s first squad selection but Andreas Pereira, left, and Joao Gomes are among familiar names from the Premier League
Casemiro of Manchester United, who had been expected to captain the team against English at Wembley Stadium on Saturday has withdrawn, along with Arsenal trio Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Maghalaes and Gabriel Martinelli, and various others.
The point made to Pereira as he fielded questions on Tuesday was that Gareth Southgate’s England were everything Brazil were not, settled, experienced in competition, accustomed to playing together.
‘We don’t feel necessarily there is a big gap,’ said the 28-year-old Fulham midfielder. ‘The last time Brazil won a tournament was fewer years ago than when England won a tournament. We could say there is a gap. But Brazil will always have big, big players and a big team.
‘We respect England a lot, especially coming from me. I play here in England and I am very grateful to play here in the Premier League. We know that they have big qualities. We respect them and we know it is going to be a tough game but for sure are ready and we know what we are capable of.’
Pereira, with only one Brazil cap in his career to date, is among those to benefit from the absence of others. He played under Dorival for three months at Flamengo, on loan from Manchester United, and has received his first call-up since 2018.
‘It is very important for me,’ said Pereira, who was born in Antwerp to a Brazilian father and a German mother and played in the youth ranks for Belgium. ‘I am very, very happy. It is a big honour to be part of this Brazil team, especially in this new beginning.
‘Hopefully I can cement my place now and do a good job. I have found my happiness again and my great form. I am living one of the best moments of my career. I have recognition from the national team coach. He knows me as a person and my qualities and have been very clear about what he wants.’
Another set to be thrust new responsibility is Richarlison, who will win his 49th cap if he plays at Wembley and reach the half century against Spain next week.
With 20 international goals, he is the top scorer in Dorival’s squad, seemingly clear of the emotional pressure he spoke courageously about at the start of the season after the break down of a relationship with his agent, when he revealed he would seek psychological help.
Pereira insists Brazil do not feel there is a big gap to England despite the Three Lions having a more settled side
Tottenham striker Richarlison is the top scorer in the Brazil squad with 20 for the Selecao
Richarlison has spoken openly about his mental health and how the support of a psychologist has helped him after off the pitch issues
‘Mental health problems happen not only in football but in life,’ said Richarlison. ‘People should have courage to find that help because it can change a lot to make a better life.
‘I am an example because I have access to the media, so I can send a message to everybody.
‘It is really important in the life of an athlete to have the support of a psychologist. All players should have that support. That’s really helped. Before, when I played, the problems were always the things happening on the outside of the game. Now, when I play I am totally focused mentally on my football.’
Richarlison has been in fine form for Spurs since groin surgery in November, with a burst of nine goals in 10 games before a knee injury ruled him out for a month.
He returned from the bench in Saturday’s defeat at Fulham. ‘I am in good shape,’ said the 26-year-old striker, yesterday. ‘I am completely recovered from the surgery as you can see.’
Brazil have not won for four games. On their last outing, they were beaten at home by Argentina. On the one before, they were beaten by Colombia for the first time in a World Cup qualifier.
They languish off the pace in their qualifying group, and although there is little chance they will fail to qualify for a bloated tournament in the USA, the future starts now.
And they are Brazil so it would be wise to underestimate them.
