Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho called up for Brazil squad to face South Korea in Abu Dhabi

The Copa America champions will play Argentina in a friendly in Saudi Arabia on November 15 before taking on South Korea in the UAE four days later

epa07918107 Roberto Firmino of Brazil reacts during an international friendly match between Brazil and Nigeria at the National Stadium in Singapore, 13 October 2019.  EPA/WALLACE WOON
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BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Casemiro and Philippe Coutinho are some of the names that headline Brazil’s squad for next month’s friendlies against Argentina in Saudi Arabia and South Korea in Abu Dhabi.

Brazil manager Tite named his 23-man group this weekend, although Neymar misses the double-header through injury. The Paris Saint-Germain forward injured his hamstring in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria two weeks ago and is expected to be out for four weeks.

Brazil take on Argentina on November 15 at Riyadh's King Saud University Stadium, before facing South Korea at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi four days later.

UAE football fans will have plenty of reason to cheer, with Liverpool trio Firmino, Alisson and Fabinho all included in the squad, alongside former teammate Coutinho – now at Bayern Munich - and fellow Premier League star Jesus, of Manchester City.

Aston Villa’s uncapped midfielder Douglas Ruiz has earned a call-up, while Real Madrid’s 18-year-old forward Rodrygo is also in line for an international debut.

Tite, who previously managed in the UAE for albeit brief spells at Al Ain and Al Wahda, did not select any home-based players because the Brazil league is drawing to a conclusion.

The friendly against South Korea will mark the first time Brazil have played an international fixture in the UAE since October 2010, when they defeated Iran 3-0 at the capital’s Zayed Sports City. The Copa America holders are without a win in their past four outings - all friendlies.

BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).