Brazil: Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Bournemouth’s Ryan received the first call-ups

Brentford striker Igor Thiago and Bournemouth winger Ryan have received first call-ups to the Brazil squad for friendlies against France and Croatia later this month.

Thiago is the second highest scorer of the Premier League season with 19 goals, behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland with 22 goals, as his goals pushed Brentford to seventh place in the table.

The 24-year-old joined the west London side for a club record fee of £30m in July 2024 from Club Brugge, but failed to score in his first season with the club as injury ruled him out of eight matches.

Ryan, 19, joined Bournemouth in January for £24.7m from Vasco da Gama, scoring twice in the Premier League.

Brazil faces France on Tuesday, March 26, in Boston before playing Croatia in Orlando on Thursday, March 31. These will be the last matches before Ancelotti announces his selection for the World Cup.

Former Norwich striker Gabriel Sara was also selected for the first time, but the party is missing legendary striker Neymar, who is not fit.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said about the 34-year-old player, who has not played for his country since October 2023: “I did not call him up because he is not 100 percent ready.”

“But for the final [World Cup] “The team, that’s another story.”

Sara, 26, left Championship side Norwich for Galatasaray in July 2024 and won the Turkish Super League in his first season with the club.

Flamengo defender Leo Pereira, 30, is the fourth new name in the squad, while striker Endrik has been called up after making his last international appearance 14 times a year ago.

The 19-year-old joined Lyon on loan from Real Madrid in the second half of the current season, and scored a hat-trick against Metz in his second appearance for the club.

Brazil, a five-time champion, will begin its World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, and will also face Haiti and Scotland in Group C.