Real Madrid youngster Rodrygo earns first call-up to Brazil squad

Teenage Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes has been included in Brazil’s squad for the first time ahead of next month’s friendlies with Argentina and South Korea.

The 18-year-old made his first competitive start for Madrid in Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win against Galatasaray, having also made a couple of substitute appearances in LaLiga this season.

Rodrygo is joined in Tite’s 23-man squad by fellow newcomer Douglas Luiz, who has performed well in the Premier League since joining Aston Villa from Manchester City in July.

There is no place for fellow Madrid players Vinicius Junior and Marcelo, while injured Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar also misses out, but Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson returns to the squad after recovering from a calf injury.

Brazil take on South American rivals Argentina in Saudi Arabia in three weeks and then travel to Abu Dhabi for a friendly with South Korea.

Convocação da #SeleçãoBrasileira!

Atacantes:

Willian
Rodrygo
Gabriel Jesus#JogaBola #GigantesPorNatureza pic.twitter.com/u5VT9EGgHR

— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) October 25, 2019

The Copa America holders enter the match without a win in their past four outings – all friendlies – and Tite is looking for an improvement as preparations continue for next year’s World Cup qualifiers.

“I was not satisfied with our performances and results,” he said at a news conference on Friday.

“But we have played in three competitive competitions. In the first, we formatted the team. The second, we reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup. In the Copa America, we won the title.

“Now we are at a new stage of the preparations, preparing for the qualifiers.”

Brazil squad in full:

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).