Gabriel Jesus has been left out of the Brazil squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches in March. Brazil take on Chile and Bolivia at the end of the month as they continue their campaign ahead of Qatar.
Tite has already overseen qualification for the World Cup but will be using the matches to refine his thinking ahead of the major tournament where Brazil will be looking to challenge again for the biggest prize in world football. Whether Jesus will be in Qatar as part of the group is less certain after the 24-year-old was not included in the latest selection after making the last three previous squads.
Raphinha, Gabriel Martinelli and Richarlison were among the Brazilian attackers in the Premier League to earn a call-up. Those three form part of the stiff competition for places in the Brazil team and squad that Jesus must battle against; Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, and Ajax's Antony have also been included.
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Jesus is one of four players leading City's assist charts this season, with eight in all competitions, but has struggled for goals from the right wing. His only goal in 2022 came in the FA Cup at Swindon, where he also missed a penalty, and he has only just returned to the team after an injury.
“I'm returning after some time injured, it's just my second game where I play the 90 minutes," he said after the 0-0 draw with Sporting. "I'm getting better and better physically; I feel better on the pitch.
"I'm training every day to get back to my usual fitness. It's a very important end of the season for us, I'm going to try to give my best to the team in this final run. I know I have the quality to get back to my best football.”
Ederson has been included for the two games, with the latter being played in the early hours of April 30. Pep Guardiola will have to check the fitness of his No.1 goalkeeper ahead of their trip to Burnley in the Premier League on April 2.
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