Brazil’s World Cup Contingency: Who Steps Up If Estêvão Cannot Play?

A hamstring injury sustained by Estêvão during Chelsea‘s 1-0 loss to Manchester United on April 18 has added to a growing list of concerns for Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup. The situation is compounded by the near-certain absence of Real Madrid centre-back Éder Militão, leaving the Seleção’s preparations under considerable strain.

The 26-man squad format gives Ancelotti room to adopt a wait-and-see approach — a hallmark of his managerial style. Whether the young winger can be fit for the group stage, or at least the knockout rounds, remains an open question. Meanwhile, a familiar tension has emerged between club and country: Chelsea prefers to manage the player’s rehabilitation in London, while Brazil — and Estêvão himself — are exploring alternatives. Both parties appear to have ruled out surgery, but whether the club will agree to release him for treatment in Brazil is still unresolved.

Recovery Hopes and the Weight of History

Estêvão‘s importance to Ancelotti‘s plans is difficult to overstate. His first senior start for Brazil came in Ancelotti‘s opening match in charge, against Ecuador last June. Between September and November, he scored five goals for the national team — a tally that took Vinícius Júnior roughly five years and around 30 appearances to achieve. He had been widely expected to start in the World Cup.

Historical precedent offers some encouragement. In 2002, neither Inter Milan nor Barcelona believed Ronaldo and Rivaldo were physically capable of competing at the tournament. Brazil’s conditioning staff intervened, worked with both players, and the team went on to claim the title. A more distant parallel dates to 1958, when a 17-year-old Pelé arrived at the World Cup in Sweden carrying an injury. Discussions about leaving him out of the squad were held, but the decision was made to keep him. Intensive treatment allowed him to enter the competition from the third match onward, and he ultimately led Brazil to their first of five world titles. Estêvão‘s youth is similarly viewed as an asset in his recovery.

Plan B: Alternatives, Tactical Dilemmas, and Midfield Balance

Should Estêvão be unavailable, the most immediate beneficiary would likely be Rayan, a teenage winger from Bournemouth who is also left-footed and operates on the right flank. He made a positive impression as a substitute on debut against Croatia last month. Ahead of him in the squad hierarchy, however, is Luiz Henrique of Zenit St. Petersburg, who played a central role in Botafogo‘s Copa Libertadores and Brazilian league double in 2024. His greatest value to Brazil has come as an impact substitute, making him better suited to a role off the bench against fatigued opposition.

The question of Neymar is separate. Ancelotti has been explicit: he does not regard the 34-year-old — who last appeared for Brazil in October 2023 before suffering a serious injury — as a winger. His system demands that wide players contribute defensively, a requirement that does not suit Neymar‘s profile. A recall remains possible, but only if Neymar can demonstrate his value in a different capacity.

The deeper tactical issue concerns Brazil‘s intended front four of Estêvão, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, and Vinícius Júnior. With a back four and four attackers, only two players occupy the central midfield. Ancelotti is aware of the risk — he watched the final match under predecessor Dorival Junior, in which Argentina dismantled Brazil 4-1, and identified the lack of defensive midfield cover as a critical flaw. His first act as coach was to bring Casemiro back into the setup to provide structure. Yet Casemiro, who will leave Manchester United at the end of the season, is now 34. The World Cup will be played in extreme heat at the end of a long season — conditions that raise legitimate questions about his stamina. It is worth recalling that when Brazil won the 1994 World Cup in the United States, they prioritised midfield solidity over attacking flair.

One plausible solution, should Estêvão miss the tournament, would be to reposition Raphinha to his former role on the right wing, freeing up space for an additional central midfielder alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães. Lucas Paquetá is one candidate for that role. Another is Danilo, formerly of Nottingham Forest and currently in outstanding form for Botafogo, who seized his opportunity convincingly when called up for the March friendlies. Neymar could also be considered in a central midfield capacity, if he can persuade Ancelotti of his readiness in the limited time remaining.

Ancelotti himself knows what it means to have a World Cup cut short by injury — a setback he experienced as a player during the 1990 World Cup on home soil in Italy. Decades later, he faces the challenge from the other side of the touchline, tasked with managing the consequences of others’ misfortune. His response, as ever, will be measured, methodical, and guided by the resources available to him.