So the Brazil team has been announced for their first World Cup game tonight, and one name is missing from the starting eleven that we’d all expected to see. Bruno Guimaraes.
Of course, it’s easy for me sitting here with my black and white tinted glasses on to say that Bruno should be starting. I mean, I don’t know how he’s looked in training, I don’t know what Tite’s gameplan is. But I do know that Bruno is in far, far better form in our league than his bestie, Lucas Paqueta who has got the nod to start tonight.
Attacking line-up from #BRA!
Neymar, Richarlison, Vinicius, Raphinha and Paqueta start – surely tonight has goals in store.
Neymar now just two goals away from equalling Pele's all-time goalscoring record for Brazil.
LIVE: https://t.co/8JjyLdRla3#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/RgWmqytHMN
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 24, 2022
Maybe Tite just doesn’t like Newcastle. He took Manchester United’s Fred over Joelinton despite a huge gulf in form and now he’s doing it to our boy, Bruno.
As I say, I’m hardly unbiased here, but I am still very confused. Paqueta must be one of those players like Pickford or Sterling who always seem to bring it when it’s for their international team, regardless of their league form. That’s the only way I can make sense of this decision anyway.
I suppose the good news for us is that the less time he plays in Qatar the less chance of him picking up an injury and the more likely he will be fit and raring to go when he returns to Newcastle.
Still though, it would be nice to see our favourite playing for the tournament favourites.