In a welcome return to the international stage, Real Madrid forwards Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior have been named in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming friendlies in Asia against South Korea and Japan, set for October 10 in Seoul and October 14 in Tokyo.
The announcement, made on October 1 by Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti, signals renewed faith in the pair after periods of absence from national duty. Vinícius had been omitted from Brazil’s squads during the recent World Cup qualifying fixtures against Chile and Bolivia.
Rodrygo, meanwhile, had not featured for the Selecão since March, when Brazil suffered a 4–1 defeat to Argentina. Their recall comes alongside the return of defender Éder Militão, who had been sidelined by a long-term knee injury.
In explaining his selections, Ancelotti emphasized that the matches would serve as more than mere experimentation. “The national team’s matches will not be for testing,” he told reporters. “They are to play well, to win, to create hope among the fans. That is the priority.”
He acknowledged that while many of the players in this squad are likely contenders for the 2026 World Cup, injuries have affected the selection process. “Obviously, many of these players will be at the World Cup, but it is a list that also takes into account the injuries we have had in recent days,” he added.
The exclusion of high-profile names, most notably Neymar, underscores the squad’s delicate balance between form and fitness. Neymar is sidelined by a thigh muscle tear suffered last month and is unlikely to return to action until November. Other notable absences include goalkeeper Alisson, defender Marquinhos, and winger Raphinha, all omitted due to injury concerns.
Brazil’s attacking roster in the squad is bolstered by the inclusion of younger talents such as Estêvão, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Jesus, Luiz Henrique, and Matheus Cunha, alongside veterans Richarlison, Rodrygo, and Vinícius Júnior. The full squad spans three goalkeepers, nine forwards, twelve defenders, and six midfielders.
For Rodrygo, the recall represents a return to a platform he has long eyed. Since joining Real Madrid from Santos in 2019, he has steadily built a reputation for speed, finishing and versatility along either flank. At 24 years old with over 170 appearances for the Spanish giants, he is now expected to take on more leadership within the national setup.
In a previous interview reflecting on his dual club and international ambitions, Rodrygo noted, “I play for Real Madrid and Brazil — I can never settle for losing.”
Vinícius Júnior’s trajectory has been more turbulent at the international level. A standout performer at Real Madrid, his club form has occasionally outshone his displays for Brazil.
When Ancelotti first took charge of the national team, he made no secret of his intent to get the best out of Vinícius. “For us, he’s a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here,” Ancelotti said in June. This recall gives the winger an opportunity to reassert himself as a centerpiece of the Brazilian attack.
In domestic competition earlier this year, Vinícius provided a clutch moment for Brazil when he netted a stoppage-time winner against Colombia in March to secure a 2–1 victory. That kind of decisiveness is precisely what Brazil will be counting on in the coming friendlies, as the team prepares for an intense stretch ahead.
The October matchups against South Korea and Japan carry additional weight, not just as warm-ups but as statements of intent. Brazil travel to Seoul on October 10, then head to Tokyo for the second match four days later.
South Korea and Japan offer stylistic contrasts: Korea tends to favor high intensity and pressing, while Japan is known for technical fluency and tactical discipline. Success in these games could build momentum for Brazil’s preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.