Chelsea forward João Pedro has been ruled out of Brazil’s upcoming international matches after suffering an injury.
The 24-year-old had been recalled to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the September and October friendlies against Australia and India, marking his return to the national team after missing the 2026 World Cup squad.
However, João Pedro will now miss the upcoming fixtures after being withdrawn from the squad because of an injury. Brazilian reports confirm that the specific nature of the injury has not yet been disclosed.
Ancelotti has moved quickly to name a replacement, calling up Fluminense midfielder Martinelli for the upcoming international matches. It will be Martinelli’s first opportunity with Brazil’s senior national team.
Brazil are scheduled to face Australia twice, on September 25 and September 29, before taking on India on October 3. João Pedro’s absence will therefore be a setback for Ancelotti as he begins shaping Brazil’s squad for the next international cycle.
For Chelsea, attention will now turn to the extent of João Pedro’s injury and how quickly the forward can return to action.