GABRIEL MARTINELLI’S inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad has been slammed as a “joke” that shows a “lack of respect” for football.
Former Selecao star turned pundit Neto has blasted manager Tite for picking the Arsenal ace over Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa.
Tite, 61, also snubbed Liverpool star Roberto Firmino from his 26-man group.
Neymar, Richarlison, Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Antony and Pedro will make up Brazil’s formidable forward line in Qatar.
But speaking on Os Donos da Bola, Neto revealed his disgust at Tite’s decision making.
He said: “This is a shame, a joke! I feel ashamed! Not because of Dani Alves’ story. What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals.
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“This is a shame, a lack of respect for football.
“Doing this with football shows that you don’t deserve the position you are in.
“Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the call-ups.”
Neto, who won 16 caps for the Selecao between 1988 and 1993, then scathingly added that the Arsenal star is unknown in Brazil.
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Brazil’s 26-man squad
Goalkeepers:
Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Man City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
Defenders:
Dani Alves (UNAM), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Alex Telles (Sevilla), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
Midfielders:
Casemiro (Man Utd), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Fabinho (Liverpool), Fred (Man Utd), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
Forwards:
Antony (Man Utd), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (PSG), Pedro (Flamengo), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
He added: “Nobody knows who he is.
“Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn’t hold the position you do, because you’re not fair to Gabigol (Barbosa).
“The guy (Martinelli) who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is…
“And not taking Gabigol, the guy who scored the goal of the Libertadores title, who scored 29 goals in the season.”
Neto, 56, then stuck the boot into the Gunners, saying: “What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!”
Martinelli, 21, has earned three senior caps for Brazil – all coming earlier this year.
Jesus also found himself caught in Neto’s crossfire.
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He asked of the former Manchester City star: “How many goals has Gabriel Jesus scored in these last games? Oh, none.
“In the World Cup? Zero. In the qualifiers? Zero. He hasn’t scored in eight games.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
