RIO DE JANEIRO: Philippe Coutinho is back in Brazil’s national team after being called up by coach Tite on Friday for two World Cup qualifiers in November.
Coutinho hasn’t played for Brazil since October 2020 but was recalled despite only starting four of Barcelona’s 10 league games this season. Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino also returned to the squad after recovering from an injury.
Leader Brazil will play Colombia in Sao Paulo on Nov. 11, when a win could secure a direct spot for the Selecao at next year’s World Cup in Qatar. Brazil has 31 points from 11 matches, six ahead of second-place Argentina. Lionel Messi’s team will host Brazil on Nov. 16.
FIFA has yet to decide on the outcome of Brazil’s suspended game against Argentina in Sao Paulo in early September. The game was stopped after seven minutes due to four England-based Argentina players allegedly breaching coronavirus protocols. Three of the players were on the field at the time.
The squad includes goalkeepers Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City) and Gabriel Chapeco (Gremio) and defenders Thiago Silva (Chelsea), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Lucas Verissimo (Benfica), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid) and Emerson Royal (Tottenham).
Meanwhile midfielders include Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Manchester United), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Lucas Paqueta (Lyon) and Gerson (Olympique Marseille).
The squad also includes forward Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Matheus Cunha (Atletico Madrid), Raphinha (Leeds), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) and Antony (Ajax).