"Experiment needs to end" "Can't be serious" - Fans unhappy with 23-year-old star's inclusion in Brazil XI for Costa Rica game at 2024 Copa America

Fans were disappointed with Joao Gomes being named in Brazil's starting line-up against Costa Rica in their 2024 Copa America opener. The clash is set to take place at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Monday, June 24.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder made his senior debut for Brazil in March 2024 and has since made four appearances for his nation.

Fans took to social media to share their opinions on Brazil head coach Dorival Junior's decision to include Joao Gomes in the starting XI. While some fans were unimpressed and criticized the manager's move, others believed there were better choices in the squad and doubted Brazil's chances against Costa Rica.

Here are some reactions on X:

One fan wrote:

"The Joao Gomes experiment needs to end"

Another added:

"Douglas Luiz ? Dorival can’t be serous with his Joao Gomes thing"

"what does Joao Gomes have on the head coach??" chimed in another fan.

One account posted:

"Well maybe another horrible game from Gomes wake up Dorival…"

Another said:

"Joao Gomes still in the starting 11 😭"

"Why is joao gomes start now and not ederson," posted another.

One user wrote:

"wouldn't douglas luiz do a better job than gomes?"

While another wrote:

"Brazil are not as strong as they once were that's for sure"

Brazil have won the Copa America title nine times, with their last triumph coming in 2019. They have finished as runners-up 12 times and ended up in third place seven times.

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Dorival Junior opened up about his squad ahead of Brazil's match against Costa Rica in the 2024 Copa America

Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior spoke about his squad ahead of their 2024 Copa America opener against Costa Rica. The 62-year-old manager, who took charge of Brazil at the beginning of 2024, opened up in the pre-match conference and said (via AFP):

"We need to find a balance, a regularity, for this team that was assembled three months ago and is now rediscovering itself."

"We are still a team in formation, with some players who maybe didn't even imagine being here at this moment. They are prepared athletes, who play in great teams in Brazilian and world football. That's why I hope we will have a good tournament," added Dorival.

Speaking about their first opponents in the 2024 Copa America, Dorival Júnior noted:

"Costa Rica is a team that perhaps defends very well, makes very quick transitions, has very vertical players. There are no easy teams in football."

"We have a young group, with some of the players playing for the first time in the national team. It's time for us to change our faces a bit, reduce the smiles, the jokes, and focus on the competition," added the former defensive midfielder.

Brazil, along with Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay, have been placed in Group D of the 2024 Copa America.