Brazilian National Team: Meet Douglas Santos, the most questioned name in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad
Carlo Ancelotti’s latest Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has stirred debate, and one name stands out above the rest: Douglas Santos. The 31-year-old left-back, currently at Zenit Saint Petersburg, has been recalled to the national team after almost a decade away, sparking mixed reactions among fans and pundits.
First Brazil Call-Up Since 2016 Olympics
Douglas Santos’ last significant involvement with Brazil came in 2016, when he was part of the historic Olympic gold medal campaign in Rio de Janeiro. He started six matches in that tournament, including the final against Germany at the Maracanã. Before that, his senior debut was in 2013 under Luiz Felipe Scolari, in a friendly against Bolivia.
Now, nearly 10 years later, he’s back in the spotlight, called up for the qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.
Zenit Mainstay Since 2019
Since joining Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2019, Douglas has become one of the Russian club’s most reliable players. He has already played 224 matches, scored seven goals, and provided 34 assists. His contract runs until 2027, and he remains a guaranteed starter this season, having featured in every game so far.
Despite interest from Brazilian clubs like Atlético-MG and Flamengo, the left-back has chosen to continue in Russia, where he has won multiple domestic titles.
Career Journey: From Náutico to Europe
Douglas Santos began his career at Náutico, where he broke into the first team in 2012. His early performances earned him a move to Europe, with spells at Granada and Udinese, though he failed to secure a regular place.
Returning to Brazil in 2014, he joined Atlético-MG, making 99 appearances and winning the 2014 Copa do Brasil and 2015 Campeonato Mineiro. In 2016, he moved back to Europe, this time with Hamburg, where he stayed until 2019, recording 88 appearances, three goals, and nine assists before transferring to Zenit.
Competition and Criticism
Douglas Santos will now compete with Caio Henrique (Monaco) and Alex Sandro (Flamengo) for the starting left-back role under Ancelotti. However, his call-up has sparked debate, with some fans questioning his inclusion and suggesting domestic standouts like Luciano Juba (Bahia) deserved a chance instead.
