Newcastle midfielder Joelinton has come under fire in Brazil following the national team’s 3-2 defeat to Japan, with journalist Rodrigo Mattos questioning his inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
Speaking on a show from UOL, Mattos said several of the coach’s selections were “wrong choices”.
Brazil had gone 2-0 up before collapsing in the second half. That result left many pundits debating the squad’s composition. Mattos mentioned Joelinton among his examples of players who failed to justify their selection.
“Joelinton, for instance. I can’t understand Joelinton being in the Brazilian national team. I think he’s a player who doesn’t have the skills to be there,” he said.
The Newcastle midfielder had only just rejoined the national setup after recovering from injury. He was called up by Ancelotti for the October friendlies against South Korea and Japan, having missed the September fixtures.
Joelinton’s return was celebrated as a reward for his consistent form in England, where he has reinvented himself as a dynamic box-to-box presence under Eddie Howe. However, the criticism from Brazil highlights the ongoing debate about whether his physical style fits Ancelotti’s tactical plans.
With the World Cup approaching, the player’s role in Brazil’s rotation remains uncertain, and his performances in the next few months could determine whether he stays in contention for a place in the final squad.
