Roberto Firmino is now likely to miss the World Cup, according to reports. The Liverpool forward faces the axe from Brazil.
This comes from UOL. They claim that it’s increasingly likely that Roberto Firmino isn’t picked for Brazil at the World Cup next month.
The report states that boss Téte is a fan of Firmino but the Liverpool star doesn’t easily fall into the system. The Brazil manager wants a player running in behind, given the likes of Neymar and Philippe Coutinho can play between the lines.
It puts Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus ahead of Firmino. Pedro, who came off the bench to score this week, also appears to be higher in the pecking order.
The biggest tell is that Firmino was the only member of Brazil’s squad who didn’t play a single minute across the international break. That, above all, suggests they simply don’t have a place for him.
Firmino to miss the World Cup
This is something we predicted after seeing Firmino’s lack of action this week. The forward is out of favour with Brazil and it’s tough to see that changing over the next six weeks.
It’ll be a blow for Firmino, of course. He played second-fiddle at the last World Cup with Jesus consistently starting. It became clear at the tournament that Firmino should have been the no.9, though, and he earned the place post-tournament.
However, he’s now lost it again right as the next World Cup rolls around. It’s got to hurt, given this is undoubtedly Firmino’s final chance at a World Cup.
It’s tough to see how he’d get games even if they do take him, though. That’s the lay of the land with the Brazilian national side – there’s no room for Firmino.
Liverpool, of course, will quietly celebrate if he does remain on the sidelines. The Reds already have several key players who won’t be at the tournament and Firmino could end up playing a vital role in 2023 if he does get a month of rest.
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