Amongst the squad, Ávila has surprisingly named four European-based players in Roma’s Marquinhos, Real Madrid full-back Fabinho, Rio Ave midfielder Filipe and Barcelona’s Rafael Alcantara, or Rafinha. Previously, those based in Europe had been omitted from South American championship action
Rafinha will be one of two sons of members of Brazil’s ’94 World Cup winning squad included for the tournament, alongside Flamengo playmaker Mattheus.
Rafinha, brother of Barcelona star Thiago, is the son of Mazinho, while Mattheus is the son of Bebeto and inspiration for the famous cradle-rocking celebration demonstrated eighteen years ago. It now remains to be seen if Spain youth international Rafinha will accept his call-up for the tournament.
Several of the squad have already experienced regular first-team action with their clubs, with Dória, Felipe Anderson, future Chelsea signing Wallace and Grêmio’s Leandro amongst the most experienced.
Alongside Wallace, Avila has included several other members of his Under-17 World Cup squad from 2011, including the highly-rated Adryan and Ademilson.
Goalkeepers: Matheus (Corinthians), Jordi (Vasco da Gama), Luis Gustavo (Vitória)
Defenders: Samir (Flamengo), Marquinhos (Roma), Doria (Botafogo), Luan (Vasco da Gama), Douglas (Náutico), Mansur (Vitória), Wallace (Fluminense), Fabinho (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Jadson (Botafogo), Misael (Grêmio), Talisca (Bahia), Gabriel (Vitória), Filipe (Rio Ave), Felipe Anderson (Santos), Rafinha (Barcelona), Mattheus (Flamengo), Guilherme Biteco (Grêmio), Fred (Internacional), Adryan (Flamengo)
Forwards: Marcos Junior (Fluminense), Bruno Mendes (Botafogo), Ademilson (São Paulo), Leandro (Grêmio), Willie (Vitória)
