
A heartbreaking video of Joao Pedro's family and friends reacting to the Brazil squad announcement has emerged after the Chelsea forward was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup plans.
Pedro has every right to feel hard done by. The 24-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Brighton last summer in a deal worth £60 million, has been one of the club's standout performers this season.
Earlier this month, after he scored an acrobatic effort against Nottingham Forest, he became the 11th Chelsea player of the Premier League era to score 20 goals in all competitions in a single season.
After netting 15 times in 34 league games, many expected the striker to be named in Brazil's plans for this summer's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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But clearly that wasn't enough to sway head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who picked Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Endrick, Rayan and Igor Thiago as his attacking options.
“There are the individual characteristics of the players," Ancelotti said in his press conference. "Obviously, we were sad for Joao Pedro, because for the season he had in Europe, he probably deserved to be on this list."
“Unfortunately, with all possible awareness, with all possible respect, and with all possible competence, we chose other players. We are sorry for Joao Pedro, as for everyone else.”
Before Ancelotti's brief explanation, Pedro's family and friends had waited all evening for his name to be called. Soon, footage was posted on Globo's TikTok account that showed the moment they found out.
Joao Pedro reacts to being left out of Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad
Reacting to his omission on Monday night, Pedro delivered a classy response.
“I tried to give my best at all times," he wrote on his Instagram story. "Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfill this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be."
“Joys and frustrations are part of football," he added. "From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home."
Brazil's 26-man squad for World Cup in full
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Ederson, Weverton
Defenders: Marquinhos, Gabriel, Gleison Bremer, Leo Pereira, Roger Ibanez, Wesley Franca, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Douglas Santos
Midfielders: Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Fabinho, Danilo, Lucas Paqueta
Forwards: Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Luiz Henrique, Gabriel Martinelli, Neymar, Endrick, Rayan, Igor Thiago
Topics: Brazil, FIFA World Cup, Chelsea