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Despite his stellar play this season for Liverpool and that he's been at his best in the club's biggest matches, nobody much expected Philippe Coutinho to make the cut for Brazil's national team at this summer's World Cup. In some of the least surprising news of the day, then, comes word that he has in fact officially missed the cut.
Felipe Scolari today named his squad, and though it includes six Premier League players, neither Coutinho nor compatriot Lucas are amongst them. Given his injuries this season and a general lack of a playing time in 2014, that Lucas also misses out is perhaps even less surprising, though it's still sad confirmation for a player who two years ago seemed penciled in to start.
Before his ACL injury and under former Brazil manager Mano Manezes, Lucas seemed a near certainty to head home this summer to represent his country at the World Cup. With the player turning 31 ahead of the next World Cup, it probably would have been his best chance to be a major contributor for Brazil.
For Coutinho, at only 21 years of age, there should be plenty of chances to represent his country in the future. And rather selfishly for Liverpool fans, that he'll get a bit of time off this summer is hardly a terrible thing. The Premier League starts who will be playing for Brazil this summer are David Luiz, Paulinho, Ramires, Fernandinho, Willian, and Oscar.
