AliousWolverhampton Wanderers might not be enjoying a stellar season in their domestic league, but the caliber of their roster is undeniable.
With the current two-week pause in the season for international fixtures like the UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifiers, manager Vitor Pereira has seen several of his players depart for national team duties.
Initially, 11 Wolves players received call-ups, but the recent addition of Joao Gomes—replacing Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes—has increased that number to 12 players temporarily absent from the club.
When it comes to one of football’s most revered national teams, Wolves hold a commanding presence. Joao Gomes’ late summons to the Brazil squad means he joins fellow Wolves teammates Matheus Cunha and Andre for the Selecao’s upcoming clash against Argentina on March 26.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) also confirmed other replacements: Palmeiras’ Weverton stepped in for Liverpool’s Alisson, Paris Saint-Germain’s Beraldo took the place of Arsenal’s Gabriel, and Atalanta’s Ederson filled in for Flamengo’s Gerson.
With Joao Gomes now included, Wolves share the distinction of having the joint-highest number of players—three—in Brazil’s squad, a five-time World Cup-winning team. Only Flamengo matches this level of representation.
The full Brazil lineup includes:
Goalkeepers:
Weverton (Palmeiras), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Man City)
Defenders: Danilo (Flamengo), Beraldo (PSG), Guilherme Arana (Clube Atletico Mineiro), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Murillo (Nottingham Forest), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo)
Midfielders:
Andre (Wolves), Joao Gomes (Wolves), Ederson (Atalanta), Joelinton (Newcastle), Matheus Cunha (Wolves)
Attackers:
Estevao (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Brighton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Man City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Remarkably, Wolves’ contribution outshines even Real Madrid’s. The Spanish giants, typically a powerhouse in terms of elite national team representation, have been eclipsed this time around.
With young star Endrick overlooked and defender Eder Militao sidelined by injury, Real Madrid’s presence in the Brazil squad has diminished, leaving Wolves with a notable edge in this prestigious metric.
Though Fosun, Wolves’ ownership, has faced criticism for not always meeting the lofty financial expectations of supporters, their recent recruitment efforts have clearly paid dividends.
The Brazilian trio of Andre, Cunha, and Gomes exemplifies the club’s knack for spotting and securing lesser-known gems.
Andre turned heads with a strong showing against Colombia earlier this week, Cunha’s scintillating form speaks for itself, and Joao Gomes continues to cement his reputation as one of the Premier League’s steadiest talents.
However, this success comes with a catch: the more these players shine on the international stage, the more likely they are to attract interest from bigger clubs, potentially complicating Wolves’ efforts to retain their prized assets.
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