Reviewing controversial Brazilian World Cup squads call-ups | OneFootball

Every four years, when the final list of the Brazilian World Cup squad is released, there is at least one player called-up that everyone wonders why he’s being included in the team.

Some of them end up surprising everyone with their performances. Others, not so much. And most of the fans even forgot that they were called-up.

The following are what we believe are the most questioned Seleção’s call-ups in every World Cup since France 1998.

Zé Carlos – France ’98

Honestly, we still don’t know why he was called up. At the time, he was playing at São Paulo, where he achieved fame. How? By imitating a chicken. Just bizarre. Curiously, no Brazilian team has ever won the World Cup without a São Paulo footballer in the squad.

Kleberson – Korea/Japan ’02

Kleberson ended up playing a key role in Brazil’s fifth star and in the process shut up everyone who doubted him. But when Felipão announced his name, many were left in disbelief as bigger names were left out in his place: Romario, Djalminha, and Émerson among them.

Gilberto – Germany ’06

Gustavo Nery was the one everyone was talking about for his performances with Corinthians. He had also conquered the 2004 Copa America with the Canarinha. In Carlos Alberto Parreira’s defense, Gilberto did score in the group stage against Japan.

Grafite – South Africa 2010

So who did Dunga take to South Africa? He chose Wolfsburg’s forward Grafite, who ended up playing six minutes during Brazil’s entire World Cup campaign.

Bernard – Brazil 2014

On Monday, we’ll know the name of Tite’s controversial pick for Russia 2018.