Gabriel Magalhães Ruled Out of Brazil Squad Due to Injury Ahead of France and Croatia Friendlies
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the withdrawal of English club Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães from the national squad preparing for two friendly matches against France and Croatia at the end of March. The medical staff clarified that the 28-year-old defender complained of pain in his right knee following his participation in the League Cup final against Manchester City. Subsequent radiological examinations confirmed his inability to join the training camp and play the scheduled matches due to this injury.
A statement published on the official website of the Brazilian national team confirmed that the technical staff would not call up a replacement for the injured defender at this time. The official statement read: "Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães will miss the friendlies against France and Croatia. Following Sunday's match on March 22 against Manchester City in the League Cup final, the athlete complained of pain in his right knee. Imaging tests confirmed that Gabriel Magalhães is unfit to play in matches during the current international break, and no other player will be called up to replace him."
In this friendly tour, the Brazilian national team will face France on March 27 in Boston, USA, followed by Croatia on March 31 in Orlando. The Brazilian Football Confederation emphasized that the player "is not in a condition to compete" in the upcoming fixtures. Magalhães' injury adds to a list of absences that includes goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was replaced by Hugo Souza due to muscle discomfort, forcing the technical staff to review their options before the anticipated friendly encounters.
These friendly matches are part of Brazil's preparations for the 2026 World Cup finals, where the team is placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. Those in charge of the national team aim to enhance cohesion among the available players amidst these forced changes. The decision to hold these matches in the United States was made to ensure the best possible technical and physical preparation conditions for the players before returning to official international competitions.
