AliousBrazil manager Dorival Júnior has heaped praise on Brighton and Hove Albion striker João Pedro after selecting him for the upcoming international break. Speaking at a press conference to announce his squad for Brazil’s matches against Colombia and Argentina, Júnior highlighted the forward’s qualities and justified his inclusion.
Pedro Earns Spot Among Brazil’s Attacking Stars**
Pedro joins an impressive attacking lineup that features Real Madrid stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, Barcelona’s Raphinha, Manchester City’s Savinho, and highly-rated prospect Estêvão. His selection comes as a reward for his strong performances this season, where he has contributed seven goals and seven assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for Brighton.
Since making the switch from Watford in 2023 for €34.2 million, the 23-year-old has flourished at the Amex Stadium, racking up 27 goals and 10 assists in 63 appearances. Despite his impressive form, his opportunities at the international level have been limited, with just a single cap under former Brazil coach Fernando Diniz in November 2023.
### **A Lack of a True Number Nine Opens the Door**
Brazil’s current squad lacks an out-and-out striker, which could provide Pedro with a chance to make his mark. Dorival Júnior spoke highly of the Brighton star’s ability to operate in that role, emphasizing his movement, goal-scoring instinct, and versatility.
> *“If we analyze each player, João Pedro has already played in that position (number nine). He has an interesting profile—he moves well, finds spaces, and has a solid goal-scoring record,”* Júnior said.
> *”I want players with mobility and fluid movement, not fixed positioning. That is crucial.”*
The Brazil boss also stressed the importance of attacking spaces, pointing out that many of the world’s top teams succeed without relying on a traditional striker.
> *”Regardless of who plays, we will have players capable of scoring goals. Every name in this squad knows how to finish. What we need is a shift in mentality—attacking spaces is fundamental. The best teams in the world don’t necessarily have a specialist striker, yet they still produce high goal tallies.”*
With a lack of a defined number nine in the squad, this could be a golden opportunity for João Pedro to prove his worth on the international stage and stake his claim for a more regular role in Brazil’s attack.
Alious
