The Brazil national team has received some bad news just days before the start of the World Cup, as right-back Wesley has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
The Brazilian Football Federation confirmed on Sunday that the Roma player will not be available for the tournament after medical examinations revealed a muscle injury in the left adductor.
Wesley suffered the injury during Brazil’s 2-1 win over Egypt in a friendly in Cleveland on Saturday. After the injury was confirmed, he was released from the national team camp and returned to Rome to continue his recovery.
In his place, coach Carlo Ancelotti has called up Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is expected to join the team in the United States on Monday.
“The magnetic resonance imaging has confirmed an injury to the adductor muscle on the left side. The Brazilian Football Federation regrets this injury. Wesley is a very important player for the team and will remain part of the group that aims to win a sixth world title,” the federation said in a statement.
Wesley’s absence is expected to create trouble for Ancelotti on the right side of defense, with Danilo and Ibanez considered the main alternatives to replace him.
Brazil begins its World Cup adventure on Saturday with a match against Morocco in Group C. In this group, the five-time world champion will also play against Scotland and Haiti.
