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What’s the story?
Brazil, who are one of the title favourites for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, have announced their 21-man squad which features some exciting names including latest Real Madrid acquisition Vinicius Junior.
The Background
Brazil, whose senior side has been a record 5 times World Champions, have been crowned U17 World Cup Champions three times previously. They finished as quarter finalists in the previous edition of the tournament in Chile in 2015.
They come into the tournament after winning the South America U-17 Championship earlier this year, for the 12th time. They cruised through the tournament with their scintillating performances and put five past hosts Chile in the finals.
The heart of the matter
Here is the squad for the upcoming tournament :
Goalkeepers: Gabriel Brazão (Cruzeiro), Lucas Alexandre (Vasco), Yuri Sena
Defenders: Wesley (Flamengo), Luan Cândido (Palmeiras), Weverson (Sao Paolo), Lucas Halter (Atletico Paranaense), Matheus Stock (Atletico Mineiro), Rodrigo Guth (Atalanta B.C) and Vitor Eduardo (Palmeiras).
Midfielders: Alanzinho (Palmeiras), Marcos Antônio (Atletico Paranaense), Rodrigo Nestor (Sao Paolo), Victor Bobsin (Gremio), Victor Yan (Santos) and Vitinho (Corinthians)
Forwards: Brenner (Sao Paolo), Lincoln (Flamengo), Paulinho (Vasco) , Vinícius JR (Flamengo) and Yuri Alberto (Santos).
What’s next?
The squad features a host of attacking talent with players like Vinicius Junior and Alanzinho who lit up the previous edition of the tournament with their performances. Alan already has 3 goals and 6 assists to his name this season.
Vinicius, on the other hand, was all over the news earlier in the year when he signed an agreement with Real Madrid, to sign with the 12-time European Champions, once he turns 18 in July next year.
The deal includes a loan back stipulation which will see the wonder boy further continue his career at Flamengo even in the 2018-19 season. Although, he will be late to join Brazil's training camp as Flamengo insisted on keeping him for the cup final vs Cruzeiro, on September 27.
Author’s take
The Selecao are in Group D with North Korea, tournament debutants Niger, and one of the other tournament favourites in Spain which makes the group one of the most interesting in the tournament.
Brazil are one of the tournament favourites and with their announcement of such an attacking squad, we should rightly expect some Samba magic.
