With Dani Alves suspended for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier, Corinthians defender Fagner will slot in at right back at the home of his club side.
And he won’t be the only player who will feel at home at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo.
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Fagner may be the only member of the squad currently on the Corinthians payroll, but a further 12 members of the Selecao are former employees of the club: Six players and six members of the coaching staff, including head coach Tite, all have Corinthians in their past.
Tite made history with Corinthians, leading them to the Brazilian league title in 2011 and then the 2012 Copa Libertadores before besting Chelsea in Asia to become world champions.
He returned to the club for a second spell in 2015 and immediately led the Timao to another league title. And his side were favourites for a second Copa Libertadores until the squad was ripped apart in the transfer window. In 53 matches at the stadium, Tite won 41, drew 9 and lost just 3.
In addition to the coach, who is an idol for the fans, another five employees of CBF have worked at the club: Physical trainer Fabio Mahseredjian is now with the Selcao; former player and director of football Edu Gaspar is now CBF technical coordinator; while assistants Matheus Bacchi, Cleber Xavier and Sylvinho all joined Tite with the national team.
© Daniel Augusto Jr/Ag. CorinthiansSylvinho began his playing career with the club, too, enjoying five seasons in Sao Paulo that brought a league title and Brazilian cup glory.
Three players in the current 23 began their careers with the club. Reserve goalkeeper this month Weverton started out there but never made a senior appearance.
© Daniel Augusto Jr/Ag. CorinthiansChelsea’s Willian had two campaigns in the first-team squad before moving on to continue his career in Europe. PSG defender Marquinhos was a member of the Libertadores-winning squad in 2011 though he never made an appearance in the competition.
Gil and Renato Augusto both won Recopa Sudamericana titles with the club and were key members of Tite’s side that won the Brazilian league title in 2015. Gil played 184 times for the club 2013 and 2016, while Renato Augusto also made over 100 appearances.
Man of the moment Paulinho completes the list of Corinthians alumni. He was the standout star of Libertadores and Club World Cup-winning side. He played more than 150 times before a big-money move to Europe.