Making the final list of players to represent Brazil in any major competition is like a ticket to heaven. In a country that boasts estimated 1200 professionals plying their trade abroad, and another 10,000 registered at home, according to latest numbers by statista.com, getting an opportunity to don the iconic yellow jersey is the ultimate goal for any footballer in the football crazy South American country.In what’s becoming a tradition, players anticipating to be called for national duty bundle together with family and friends before a television as they hope and pray their names are called out. What follows for the lucky few is jubilation.It was no different on Monday when coach Tite released his final 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which kicks off on November 20 to December 18. Manchester United winger Antony tweeted a video of celebration as friends and family embraced and hugged him after his name was announced on television. This was replicated for Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison, and even more assured skipper Neymar of PSG.Richarlison and his family reacting to his World Cup call up ❤️pic.twitter.com/pXaFQxiViZ— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) November 7, 2022 39-year-old former Barcelona right back Dani Alves was among the players who got Tite’s node. Alves, who played his last club match in September for Mexico’s Pumas, said he understood why some fans were not happy about his selection.39-year-old Dani Alves will become the oldest Brazilian player at a World Cup 😮Djalma Santos previously held the record at 37 years old from the 1966 tournament 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/uEB8kf0bGp— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 7, 2022 “I am not here to please everyone. We are here not to fail those who trust us,” Alves said in a video his staffers shared with reporters. “The effort, the dedication and the sacrifice have paid off.” Someone will have to be held responsible for workers’ suffering in the name of World CupSeleção’s Brazil’s attacking pride was highlighted with nine forwards being included in the team.Neymar spearheads the group including relative youngsters Vinicius Jr., Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo. Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino, capped since 2014, missed out.Por vocês!!! Obrigado, meu Deus!! Obrigado todo mundo… amigos, família, mãe, pai, irmãos!! Amo vocês!!! Emoção demais!! 🇧🇷🇶🇦 @CBF_Futebol pic.twitter.com/Da6aJkkoDx— Antony Santos (@antony00) November 7, 2022 There were also eight defenders and six midfielders, not including Philippe Coutinho, who suffered a quadricep injury in training with Aston Villa at the weekend. Addo names 55 Ghana players for the World Cup##NAJAVA_MECA_6787176##Tite narrowed down the list from 55 players he and his staff had been monitoring since 2018 to try and win a record-extending sixth World Cup crown.“We prioritized important players from the midfield to the attack, but keeping our balance is the team’s main idea,” Tite said. “To win at the highest level, we need to create and score. But that doesn’t mean our defensive strength is not key to win,” Tite said.Also read: Full Brazil squad for the World Cup
