Brazilian forward Estêvão Willian, widely known as “Messinho” due to comparisons with Lionel Messi for his playing style and left-footed ability, has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup due to injury. The 19-year-old, who rose to prominence at Palmeiras before joining Chelsea, was omitted from Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 55-man preliminary squad list, effectively ending his hopes of participating in the tournament.
Estêvão sustained a muscular injury in his right thigh during a Premier League match against Manchester United on 18 April. The injury immediately cast doubt over his availability for the World Cup. Although initial expectations suggested a possible recovery in time for the tournament, medical assessments conducted by both Brazil’s national team staff and Chelsea’s medical department did not provide assurance that he would regain full fitness before the competition.
Following the injury, Estêvão underwent rehabilitation and returned temporarily to his former club Palmeiras as part of his recovery programme. During this period, uncertainty remained regarding his inclusion in the national squad. It was later confirmed that his name did not appear in Ancelotti’s provisional 55-player list, which must be submitted to FIFA by 11 May ahead of final squad selection.
Estêvão joined Chelsea from Palmeiras in the previous summer transfer window for a reported fee of £29 million. Since his arrival, he has made 36 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals. His performances had initially positioned him as a strong candidate for Brazil’s World Cup squad under Ancelotti’s plans.
However, Estêvão is not the only player affected by injury concerns. Real Madrid defenders Éder Militão and forward Rodrygo have also been ruled out of World Cup contention due to fitness issues. All three players were understood to be part of Ancelotti’s core planning prior to their respective injuries.
In contrast, Neymar has been included in the preliminary squad, marking a significant development in his international career. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, had previously been excluded from squads since Ancelotti assumed managerial duties. His inclusion in the 55-man list represents his first step towards a potential fourth World Cup appearance.
National teams are required to submit a preliminary squad of 55 players to FIFA by 11 May. From this list, the final 26-man squad for the tournament will be selected. Although the preliminary lists are not always publicly released, they serve as the official pool from which World Cup squads are finalised.
Injury and Squad Status Overview
| Player | Club | Injury Status | World Cup Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estêvão Willian | Chelsea | Right thigh muscle injury | Ruled out |
| Éder Militão | Real Madrid | Injury-related absence | Ruled out |
| Rodrygo | Real Madrid | Injury-related absence | Ruled out |
| Neymar | Al-Hilal | Fit | Included in preliminary squad |
The developments have significantly influenced Brazil’s squad planning ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with key attacking and defensive options affected by injury, while experienced figures such as Neymar re-emerge in contention for selection.