One thing I’d always do is take my time to read the crap that people write while trying to justify Joao Pedro being left out of the World Cup.
So, you’re telling me in essence that Joao Pedro was left out because Igor Thiago came on and scored a PENALTY?? This is one of the most retarded justifications I’ve seen on this.
The good thing is that Brazil will most definitely suffer the repercussion of leaving JP out. Endrick was chosen for winning a penalty, Igor for scoring one and Neymar just for the sake of it.
We’re sat, waiting for you to crashout in the RO16.
🇧🇷 | I think there’s a real misunderstanding of João Pedro’s situation for Brazil and Ancelotti’s reasoning for leaving him out of the squad.
Some important context to help explain the decision:
Between June 6, 2025 and April 1, 2026, Ancelotti tested SEVEN different No. 9s across nine matches:
• Matheus Cunha | 397 minutes
• Richarlison | 174 minutes
• João Pedro | 153 minutes
• Vitor Roque | 45 minutes
• Kaio Jorge | 19 minutes
• Igor Thiago | 19 minutes
• Igor Jesus | 10 minutes
A combined 817 minutes without a SINGLE GOAL from any of them. Brazil had a serious goalscoring problem.
Ancelotti used his multiple opportunities to work with these players up close in training camps, calling them into several squads:
• Matheus Cunha | 4 call-ups
• Richarlison | 4 call-ups
• João Pedro | 3 call-ups
• Kaio Jorge | 1 call-up
• Igor Jesus | 1 call-up
• Vitor Roque | 1 call-up
• Igor Thiago | 1 call-up
• Endrick | 1 call-up
Out of all the options, Matheus Cunha was the one striker who genuinely impressed Ancelotti. His work rate, pressing, energy, selflessness, and ability to balance the front four made him a key piece in the 4-2-4 system Brazil were using at the time. But they still lacked that killer instinct.
Then came Brazil’s final match before Ancelotti announced his World Cup squad: the game against Croatia.
With Brazil struggling, Igor Thiago (23 minutes) and Endrick (14 minutes) came off the bench and changed the game. Igor Thiago scored from the penalty spot, while Endrick won the penalty and provided an assist.
At the same time, João Pedro had another difficult game, a constant under Ancelotti. He struggled to make an impact, missed a big chance, and was eventually replaced by Igor Thiago himself.
That last 25 minutes proved decisive.
By the end of the Croatia game, João Pedro had played the second most minutes under Ancelotti as a no.9 (only behind Matheus Cunha), but had convinced him the least.
At the very last moment, Ancelotti changed his mind. The performances of Endrick and Igor Thiago against Croatia tipped the balance.
So between the 4 choices and 3 number 9’s he was going to take.
He left João Pedro at home.