Estêvão Back in Brazil Squad, Eyes Fresh Start Under Ancelotti

Speaking in Brisbane, the forward reflected on his recovery from a thigh injury that kept him out of the World Cup and looked ahead to friendlies against Australia and India.

Estêvão spoke to reporters in Brisbane, Australia, on Tuesday after rejoining Brazil's national team, calling his place in the squad a privilege rather than something he is desperate to reclaim. His most recent appearances came in the November 2025 FIFA window, when Brazil defeated Senegal 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Tunisia, with the forward scoring in each game.

A severe injury to his right thigh ruled him out of the World Cup, and the player said his family and his faith helped him through the recovery. He described his approach as one of resilience, taking each day as it came and looking ahead rather than dwelling on what he had missed.

The attacker, who is part of coach Carlo Ancelotti's group for this window, said being selected is motivation for him to work at his maximum in every training session and match. Brazil's schedule includes two friendlies against Australia and one against India.

Brazil meet Australia on Friday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, with kickoff at 8 p.m. local time (7 a.m. Brasília time), then play the hosts again on September 29 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane at the same times. The game against India follows on October 3 at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, also known as Salt Lake, in Kolkata, starting 7:30 p.m. local time (11 a.m. Brasília time).