Football

Ex-Brazil international slams manager Tite for ‘joke’ Martinelli call-up

November 10, 2022 11:37 am
Ex-Brazil international slams manager Tite for ‘joke’ Martinelli call-up

Former Brazil midfielder Neto has slammed manager Tite for his ‘joke’ call-up of Gabriel Martinelli to the 2022 World Cup squad.

Arsenal winger Martinelli has been selected in Tite’s final 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Qatar.

But the decision was not welcomed by ex-Brazil international Neto, who is now working as a pundit.

Brazil boss Tite accused of lack of respect

Neto has accused Tite of showing a lack of respect for football, and believes he should have chosen Flamengo forward Gabigol instead of Martinelli.

“This is a shame, a joke!” said Neto, as reported by the Daily Mail. “I feel ashamed! Not because of Dani Alves’ story. What is Martinelli’s story? 33 career goals.

“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: Nobody knows who Martinelli is

Neto’s incredible rant did not stop there. The pundit, who played 16 times for Brazil, said Brazilians are not even aware of who Martinelli is.

Martinelli has five goals and two assists for Arsenal this season. The winger has three Brazil caps to his name, all of which came this year.

But Neto believes Gabigol was the more appropriate choice for the World Cup squad. The Flamengo forward scored 29 goals in all competitions in the most recent campaign.

But there was no place for him in Tite’s final squad. Instead, he opted for Martinelli and indeed Gabigol’s club teammate Pedro.

“Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn’t hold the position you do, because you’re not fair to Gabigol,” he said.

“The guy 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.

“What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!”

Brazil

Brazil squad filled with attacking talent

Also included in the star-studded Brazil attack are Premier League men Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Antony.

Neymar has also been called up by Brazil boss Tite, along with Real Madrid duo Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. Barcelona winger Raphinha also made the cut.

There are, of course, plenty of star names in other areas of the pitch for the South Americans. It begins with Premier League goalkeepers Ederson and Alisson. The duo will be battling it out for the number one spot in Qatar.

Ahead of them sits Marquinhos, Eder Militao and Thiago Silva, all three of which have plenty of big-game experience. Legendary right-back Dani Alves is also on the list.

And in midfield, there is space for Premier League trio Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro and Fabinho.

Brazil are the most successful country in the history of the World Cup. They have lifted the prestigious trophy five times.

Many have labelled the South Americans as favourites for the upcoming edition. They have been placed in Group G alongside Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.

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