The Brazil national team has suffered a new serious blow ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Chelsea’s new striker, Estevao Willian, will not play in the World Cup due to a serious injury.
According to ESPN , Estevao was not even on the broader list of 55 players sent by coach Carlo Ancelotti to FIFA.
The 19-year-old talent damaged a muscle in his right thigh on April 18 in Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United. Although there was hope that he would recover over time, the medical services of the Brazilian national team and the London club could not guarantee that he would be fully fit.
Before the injury, he was considered a safe bet for the World Cup, especially since Ancelotti highly values his qualities.
Unfortunately for the Brazilians, Estevao is not the only important player to miss the World Cup. Due to serious injuries, Ancelotti cannot count on Real Madrid duo Eder Militao and Rodrygo, who would certainly be among the main assets of the national team.
According to sources close to the national team, Estevao himself was aware that his chances of playing were minimal and reportedly looked very disappointed when he returned to Palmeiras to continue his rehabilitation.
As the bad news continues to pour in, fans have been cheering Neymar’s return to the senior squad. Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals is among the forwards Ancelotti is considering for his final 26-man squad, although he has yet to call him up.
However, the absence of several key stars is a major blow to Brazil’s ambitions to regain the World Cup title, a title they have been waiting for since 2002.
