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It has been rather an underwhelming World Cup cycle for Brazil. They arrived at the Human Rights World Cup as fairly hot favourites but after their exit at the hands of Croatia in the last eight in Al-Rayyan four years ago things have drifted. They went out in the quarter-finals at the 2024 Copa América, then limped through Conmebol qualifying for the Geopolitics World Cup, finishing fifth after six defeats – to Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina (twice), Paraguay and Bolivia – with their lowest points tally since South America switched to an 18-game format for the 2002 tournament. In October they lost 3-2 to Japan in a friendly and in November they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia.

Friendlies against France and Croatia await in the next international window, with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad announcement this week the penultimate selection before the big one in the summer. Despite their ragged results plenty of the class of 2022 remain. Marquinhos is still there, as are Alisson and Ederson, Casemiro, Danilo, Bremer, Vinícius Júnior and Alex Sandro. Brentford’s Igor Thiago has deservedly got a first call for the forthcoming games and there is space too for Bournemouth teenager Rayan.

But one big name is notable by its absence: Neymar. The 128-cap, 79-goal forward hasn’t played for his country since October 2023 when he suffered ACL-knack in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. He returned to play more than 2,000 minutes for Santos last season and, after another injury setback, was back in action for his club side in February. Ancelotti did not close the door when announcing his squad this week – “Neymar is not at 100% of his capability. If he can be at 100% physically, he can be there” – but time is not on his side.

All of which seemed to set things up very nicely for a series of self-defeating verbal haymakers from the player himself: “I’m going to speak out here, because I can’t just let this pass,” he began promisingly. But instead of writhing around on the floor in agony at the sheer injustice of it all, things then got rather mild mannered. “Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected,” he sighed. “But the focus remains the same, day after day, training session after training session, match after match. We’ll achieve our goal. There’s still one final squad announcement to go and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together.” Which is disappointingly measured from a Football Daily perspective but maybe no bad thing for the man himself. Though whether his apparently newfound maturity pays off remains to be seen.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Join Scott Murray from 6.30pm (GMT) for clockwatch updates on Sporting 2-1 Bodø/Glimt (2-4 agg), Arsenal 1-0 Leverkusen (2-1 agg) and Chelsea 2-2 PSG (4-7 agg) in Bigger Cup, while Daniel Harris will be at the controls for Manchester City 3-1 Real Madrid (3-4 agg).

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I just wanted to be who I am, but at that time it was not a good idea to come out” – former Norwich defender Tony Powell, who had to keep his sexuality hidden throughout his career and who ended up living in an LA motel, tells his extraordinary story to Don McRae.

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FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

Following on from Ken Muir’s bin-related Spurs joke yesterday, maybe the next candidate for the Tottenham managerial merry-go-round should be the current boss of Dutch side Brabantia?” – Phil Taverner.

Re yesterday’s line about teenager Max Dowman fielding the ‘what did you get up to at the weekend?’ question as he walked through the school gates on Monday morning: surely the more obvious b@nter among those of that age would be ‘so I heard you scored on Saturday night?’ – Justin Kavanagh.

If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day is … Phil Taverner. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.

RECOMMENDED LOOKING

It’s David Squires on … Max Dowman, Arsenal’s great release, Chelsea’s Tierney totem, and more.

NEWS, BITS AND BOBS

Fifa is unwilling to switch Iran’s Geopolitics World Cup matches to Mexico despite the country’s football federation claiming it is in discussions with the world governing body about moving their games outside the United States.

The “perfect game”. That’s what Pep Guardiola needs from his Manchester City side against Real Madrid if they’re to make the last eight of Bigger Cup.

The emergence of Max Dowman, eight, has inspired the rest of his Arsenal teammates, says Mikel Arteta.

Chelsea’s Reece James is out for several weeks with hamstring twang, raising doubts over his chances of making England’s GWC squad. Meanwhile, Liam Rosenior reckons the team huddle may be on the move. “In terms of the huddle, the lads have always wanted to show unity and togetherness,” soothed Rosenior. “I think they’ll continue to do that. What we don’t want to do is antagonise or bring the noise on ourselves. We’ll make the decision on where we do that on the [Stamford Bridge] pitch [on Tuesday].”

Tottenham have received a boost for their doomed Bigger Cup second leg with Atlético after Cristian Romero and Lucas Bergvall were fit enough to do some star jumps and the like in training.

A number of mid-ranking Premier League clubs are lobbying for a percentage of the biggest teams’ Uefa revenue to help fund a new financial settlement with the EFL.

Australia are into the flamin’ Women’s Asian Cup final after a 2-1 victory over China.

Wolves are unbeaten in three league games after damaging Brentford’s European hopes with a 2-2 draw at the Gtech.

And National League side Wealdstone are fresh and funky after seeing tricky midfielder Sak Hassan pop up in the Baller League. “The club was not approached for permission for Sak to participate, nor were we made aware of his involvement in advance,” growled a club suit. “We will now be following up with both the Baller League and the player directly.”

RECOMMENDED LISTENING

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Sophie Downey and Ayisha Gulati for the latest episode of Women’s Football Weekly.

MOVING THE GOALPOSTS

Our sister newsletter on how Marseille are aiming to become an iconic club now they have history-making Corinne Diacre at the helm.

STILL WANT MORE?

Things are swell at Arsenal, nine points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League. Can they channel the positivity into a Bigger Cup win against Bayer Leverkusen?

Rob Davies analyses whether Chelsea got off lightly with a £10.75m fine and suspended transfer embargo over breaches of financial rules during Roman Abramovich’s ownership.

The star veterans delivered for the Matildas, writes Jack Snape, in their Women’s Asian Cup win against China.

And Joan Laporta celebrated with a cigar at his favourite nightclub. Sid Lowe reflects on the Spaniard’s successful re-election as president of Barcelona.

MEMORY LANE

August 1999: Design graduate Ian Sabberton poses for a photo with a new football boot prototype with a revolutionary pivoting sole. Our eye is drawn more to the sore toe on the image of a Puma King boot behind him, mind. Here’s some more information on Ian’s design.

REMINDS US OF CRAIG JOHNSTON