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When national team managers make their call-ups, there are always controversial choices regarding the players they pick, and those they don’t. It’s no different in Brazil, where Tite is known for having a few favourite footballers.

Among them, there’s Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho.

Despite the midfielder’s ups and downs in his club career, he’s been given repeat chances with the Seleção. Right now, he could even be in the squad which is going to the Qatar World Cup.

It turns out there’s heavy competition for his position. Some of it comes from Flamengo, who won the Copa do Brasil this week, with Everton Ribeiro in great form. Commenting on this situation today, Band pundit Neto slammed Tite for prioritising the Aston Villa player.

“Tite, if you don’t take Everton Ribeiro to the World Cup, and it’s not because of what he played in the final, no – that he rocked in the game – but because of what he is as a leader, as an athlete, as a player, as a person. He’s a spectacular boy, he’s a classic left midfielder,” said Neto (via UOL).

“And you will take Philippe Coutinho, who is your friend, friend of I don’t know who, who plays in Europe. This already shows my displeasure with you.”

Philippe Coutinho is still to contribute any goals or assists for Aston Villa this season, with the club having a disappointing campaign in the Premier League. Everton Ribeiro, meanwhile, has seven goals and nine assists in 60 games, and besides winning the Copa do Brasil, is also playing in the Copa Libertadores final this month.

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