Former Brazil star Neto has lashed out at the "joke" decision to include Gabriel Martinelli in his nation’s World Cup squad - and also took aim at his Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Jesus.
Selecao boss Tite named his squad for the upcoming tournament in Qatar earlier this week with the five-time winners aiming to add to their record-breaking haul. Having not lifted the famous trophy since 2002, the squad has a far younger look to it. Jesus, 25, has been included following his bright start to life at Arsenal, while 21-year-old Martinelli has also done enough to earn a place.
Despite the pair’s performances so far this season, Neto is far from convinced and has staged a sensational rant at Tite’s decision to select Martinelli instead of Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa.
Speaking to Os Donos da Bola, he said: “This is a shame, a joke! I feel ashamed! Not because of Dani Alves' story. What is Martinelli's story? 33 career goals. This is a shame, a lack of respect for football. Doing this with football shows that you don't deserve the position you are in.
“Calling up Martinelli and not calling up Gabigol is a lack of respect. The biggest shame of all the call-ups. Calling up Martinelli shows that you, Tite, shouldn't hold the position you do, because you're not fair to Gabigol.
“The guy [Martinelli] who scores five goals in the season, who walks around the mall here, nobody knows who he is… And not taking Gabigol, the guy who scored the goal of the Libertadores title, who scored 29 goals in the season.
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“What has Martinelli done in European football? Arsenal are not even in the Champions League. This is a calamity!”
Whilst Martinelli was the target of 16-time Brazilian international Neto, he also took aim at the youngster’s Arsenal teammate Jesus having been uninspired by his previous performances for the national team.
The now 56-year-old continued: “How many goals has Gabriel Jesus scored in these last games? Oh, none. In the World Cup? Zero. In the qualifiers? Zero. He hasn’t scored in eight games.”
Brazil open their latest World Cup campaign with a clash against Serbia, with following group games against Switzerland and Cameroon.
Martinelli and Jesus will no doubt be aiming to catch the eye between now and then as they aim to secure a place in the starting lineup following their call-ups. Their final chances come in Arsenal’s final league game before the World Cup against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend.
One man who has failed to do enough to impress is defender Gabriel Magalhaes - the former Lille star having been omitted from his nation's squad.
