Copa America 2019: The Brazil XI that won’t feature in the competition

Right back: Danilo (Manchester City)

Danilo didn't get much chance to impress

From being touted for big things upon signing for Real Madrid to being reduced to a fringe player at Manchester City, Danilo’s fortunes just never took off. And starting only nine games last season in the Premier League was never going to help him on the international front either, as Tite didn’t have to think twice before axing him from the 23-man squad.

Centre-back: Felipe (FC Porto)

Felipe didn't enjoy the same luck as his Porto counterpart Eder

In contrast to the earlier case, Felipe was a regular at Porto, making 31 appearances in the Portuguese League and also proving to be good enough to attract interest from Atletico Madrid, who’ve agreed a €20 million deal for him. But Tite instead went with his teammate Eder Militao, who joined rivals Real Madrid.

Centre-back: David Luiz (Chelsea)

Luiz's time with Brazil looks all but over

David Luiz’s sabbatical from the international stage continues. He wasn’t a part of the World Cup last year after an underwhelming campaign with Chelsea, and despite going some distance in improving last season, he finds himself ostracised even from the Copa America squad. That makes it the third consecutive major tournament that he’s absent from since being overlooked in the 2016 Centenario. Maybe, the writing’s on the wall now.

Left-back: Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Marcelo has an uphill battle to redeem himself

Just about a year ago, a Brazil squad participating in a major tournament without Marcelo seemed unthinkable. But the dreadful cocktail of poor form and recurring injuries have turned it into a harsh reality. Marcelo’s status as the best left-back has also taken a wrecking ball after the horrendous campaign, all culminating in a not-so-surprising omission from the Brazil squad.