The CONMEBOL and FIFA have confirmed that matches of the first two days of the South American qualification for the Qatar World Cup 2022 will be disputed October 8 and 13. Given the uncertainty and fear caused by the health crisis of the pandemic of the coronavirus, which remains uncontrolled in different countries of South America, local federations they will have little more than two weeks, when the presentation of the footballers is scheduled, To get organized. Not only its protocols and the logistics part as well as for negotiate with their governments the entry and exit of players that will come from Europe and other continents, coming from many countries that have established restrictions for citizens traveling to the region.
A race against time, It begins with the lists called for the meetings. The selectors they have until Sunday, September 20 To present the 23 names and, as assured Gianni Infantino last Tuesday, FIFA “will comply with the regulation that obliges the clubs to release the players in favor of their respective national teams. “
Brazil will give its list this today, of telematic form. The Brazilian coach, Tite, who has not spoken to the press since March, when gave his list for what should have been the start of the South American qualifiers, postponed to October due to the pandemic. On that list were only two Real Madrid players (Casemiro and Militão) and three others from LaLiga (Arthur, then from Barcelona, and Felipe and Lodi, Atlético). But this Friday there is great expectation that Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo will be called.
In his visit to Diario AS in February, Tite praised a lot at young boys stars of Real Madrid and explained why he called both of them on previous lists. “Vinicius and Rodrygo are players who are going through a stage of maturation and development. They are very young footballers with different characteristics. Rodrygo is essentially technical and intelligent. Finest. Vinicíus is a band player, more than individual plays and less of combination, a dribbler. Very high speed. More wild“, defined Tite.
Neymar's evolution paves the way for Vinicius
Recently was It is difficult to see Vinicius occupying a role in the Brazilian team that was not only secondary. Where he likes to play and performs better, far left, Neymar was there.
But this last season we saw a new Ney at PSG, acting as playmaker and organizer, more focused and responsible for the creation of most of the plays of the Parisian team. A function that in the selection was made by Coutinho, but never quite convincing. And that everything points to the will Neymar, leaving the way free for the arrival of Vinicius.
Vini is a fan favorite Brazilian and would have been the substitute for Neymar in the 2019 Copa América, if not for his injury against Ajax. I enter Everton instead, he had an excellent tournament and won the confidence of the coach. At that time, Tite saw him as a diamond in the rough, pure potential, but with many weaknesses, mainly in defense.
Rodrygo, smaller, arrived later but it has in its favor the greatest tactical maturity and collective consciousness. In addition to playing on the right, where the competition is open between him, Richarlison, Willian or Gabriel Jesus.
Currently the technical body of the Seleçao he is very optimistic about the evolution of both players ahead of the Qatar World Cup, recognizing that Vinicius's tactical perception and defensive work in Zidane's system have been a pleasant surprise even for the most optimistic. Even if I had liked to see them more times in the starting team of Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The South American qualification for Qatar and, mainly, the Tokyo JJ OO will be essential for Vinicius and Rodrygo to earn their spaces in the Seleção. The first step is to be on the list this Friday.