Brazil calls up uncapped midfielder Martinelli for friendlies

Uncapped Fluminense midfielder Matheus Martinelli has been drafted into Brazil's squad for friendlies against Australia and India, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old replaces Chelsea forward Joao Pedro, who was ruled out due to injury, the CBF said in a statement, without specifying what the injury was.

Martinelli has made 331 appearances for Fluminense, scoring 16 goals and providing 21 assists, since being promoted from the Rio de Janeiro club's youth academy in 2020.

Brazil will play Australia in Townsville and Brisbane on September 25 and 29 before facing India in Kolkata four days later.

The matches will be the South American team's first since it was eliminated by Norway in the World Cup round of 16 in July.