Joao Pedro speaks out after Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup blunder - 'Damn, I'm left out'

View 2 Images

Chelsea's Joao Pedro has opened up on his panic after he was mistakenly omitted from the Brazil squad announcement by manager Carlo Ancelotti . The country are in action over the international break as they face France and Croatia in friendlies as they begin their preparations for this summer's World Cup.

Prior to the matches, Ancelotti officially revealed his squad in a press conference on Monday. However, Pedro's name was not called out, despite his picture and name being displayed on the screen in the background.

The forward has now confessed that the error left him in a state of alarm. In an interview with Panela SporTV, Pedro said: "It always feels like the first time [to be called up] those butterflies in the stomach.

"And then when he [Ancelotti] finished the list, I said to myself: 'Damn! I've been left out!!"

After several minutes, Brazil team director Rodrigo Caetano confirmed to Pedro that he had been selected. Ancelotti subsequently apologised and confirmed that he had overlooked his name from the list.

The Chelsea star added: "Then everyone started calling me, I didn't know what was happening... then I came back and thought: 'Damn, I'm in, I'm in!' haha.

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

"But it's the same feeling of butterflies ever since my first call-up. I'm very happy.

"I'm in a really special moment in my life at the moment as well, and now let's go all out to beat France and Croatia."

The 24-year-old will be aiming to increase his tally of six caps for Brazil during the two fixtures. Pedro enters the matches in remarkable form, having netted eight times in his previous nine Premier League appearances, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa .

View 2 Images

Blues' manager Liam Rosenior has lauded the forward's performances, likening him to the world 's top strikers. "In the two months I've been here, he has consistently shown he is a world‐class striker," he said.

"I talk about my players; it's disrespectful to Erling [Haaland] to compare them.

"I don't know Erling very well, but from the outside he appears a magnificent, world‐class striker. I wouldn't exchange Joao for anyone at this moment - he is demonstrating all the qualities and attributes I want to see.