Filipe Luis and Fagner make the cut
Filipe Luis and Fagner found out that hard work really does pay off when they were handed their tickets to Russia for the World Cup.
On Monday, Brazil manager Tite announced his 23-man squad for this year's World Cup. Along with the usual suspects, full-backs Filipe Luis and Fagner were named in the group. Two players with similar injury recovery stories.
Luis suffered a fractured fibula earlier this season and was rushed into the operating room. Thanks to his hard work and a determined attitude, just 46 days later, he made a miraculous return to action. Perfect timing for the left-back with the World Cup fast approaching.
On the other side of the defence, Corinthians right-back Fagner has been called back into the national side. The 28 year old had previously been sidelined with a thigh injury.
After it was reported that Dani Alves would miss the World Cup with a long-term knee injury, Fagner will now compete with Danilo for a place in the starting XI.
Another surprise inclusion to Tite's squad was that of Shakhtar Donetsk striker Taison who has just 6 caps to his name. Taison will join up with the formidable strikeforce of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino this summer.