It’s not only Forest fans who have noticed the quality of Murillo since his arrival to the City Ground, but who is keeping him out of the Brazil squad?
Rumours of all the top European clubs having an interest in Murillo, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester City, means that the football media is well aware of this future, Brazilian star.
Trying to hold on to Murillo may be a futile attempt for a club like Nottingham Forest but it is far better to have loved and lost him than not love this highly entertaining, Brazilian centre-back from Sao Paulo.
At only 22 years of age, in a country with more skilful footballers than America has beauty products, it’s not surprising that a Brazilian finds it a challenge to break into the national squad, regardless of age and experience.
A host of quality players are keeping Murillo out of the Brazil squad.
As a centre-back who is currently ranking in the Premier League stats for some of the most dribbles this season – Elliot Anderson is No.1 by the way – in a team with one of the best defensive records in the league, it’s no wonder we are asking about Murillo’s absence from the national team, and just who is keeping Murillo out of the Brazil squad?
A fan’s favourite at Forest but is Murillo favoured in his home country? Are the Brazilian media aware of Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos’ raw talent and his potential as a future Brazil legend?
Let’s a take a look at who is keeping Murillo out of the Brazil squad.
Although many believe Murillo could play left-back, centre-midfield, winger or striker, we’ll just concentrate on five centre-backs who are currently keeping Murillo out of the Brazil squad and safely in Nottingham.
Five quality centre-backs – The Competition
No.1 – Danilo.
It’s not our Danilo who is keeping Murillo out of the Brazil squad, obviously, but team captain, Danilo Luiz da Silva certainly is.
The Juventus No.6 has made 64 appearances for his country and has experience in abundance.
Moving from Santos to Porto in 2012, where he spent three years there, he made dream moves to Real Madrid and Manchester City, before signing for the Italian giants in 2019.
The thing with experience is the consequence of racking up years – we don’t get any younger – and at 33 years old, it does beg the question of retirement for Danilo.
Like a self-obsessed millionaire with his 40-year-old wife, it won’t be long before the Seleҫão Canarinho (Canary Squad) is looking for a younger model to replace Danilo.
On paper, Murillo looks like the answer to Danilo when he retires, as Murillo probably has at least three FIFA World Cups in front of him.
Danilo’s age could be an opening for Murillo to add to the impressive record of Brazil being the most successful national team in that tournament, but that could be a couple of years yet.
No.2 – Marcos Aoas Correa
Better known as Marquinos, this Brazilian centre-back is one of two PSG players in this post. Marquinos was part of the PSG Champions League final team of 2020 and, like Danilo, only has, possibly, one World Cup left in him.
Marquinos took the Brazil shirt from Thiago Silva and retained it for 93 games.
With Murillo in the limelight, playing his football in arguably the best league in the world, and two centre-backs looking to retire after the next World Cup, it does make me wonder whether these vacancies will make way for a certain futsal-playing Nottingham Forest hero with a penchant for taking on players and shooting from the half-way line.
No.3 – Fabricio Bruno
Just starting his Brazil career, the Flamengo CB has made only two appearances in a Brazil shirt and made his international debut playing against England in March of this year.
At 28, Bruno is at the peak of his career and is major competition for Murillo. However, Bruno only has experience of playing in Brazil and is rumoured to be staying within the country’s domestic league for a few more years, or until, at least, he makes the Renan Lodi move into the Saudi graveyard.
If Murillo does move to Spain, Italy or Germany, he will add another string to his playing career that suggests he has experience and knowledge of various European styles, and this could be very advantageous for a player at a FIFA World Cup.
No.4 – Gabriel.
Arsenal’s 6ft 3ins Gabriel Magalhaes, is no stranger to fans of the English game. Making 140 appearances and scoring 16 goals, Gabriel is Arsenal’s equivalent of Murillo.
At 26, Gabriel is just slightly older than Murillo and had a brief spell in Croatia with Dynamo Zagreb, after spending two years in the French league with Lille and Troyes.
Gabriel is the real deal and a centre-back duo of Gabriel and Murillo sounds like part of a football manager’s dream team.
No.5 – Lucas Beraldo
Another debutante at the England game last March – and the other PSG player – Beraldo is actually younger than Murillo and is immediately favoured in that centre-back role.
Making his professional debut for Sao Paulo in 2022, Beraldo signed for PSG this season for €30million. Like Murillo, Beraldo plays like someone way ahead of his time and, if he avoids injury, he looks as if he will have an illustrious career ahead of him.
When is Murillo likely to make the Brazil squad?
Whilst at Forest, I’d prefer that Murillo focuses on his domestic duties but, I imagine, that when Murillo does get his dream transfer – because he will – he will stand out at a bigger club and the international opportunities will come rolling in like the mist from the Trent.
There are, of course, other Brazilian players to consider, and talented footballers are rising out of Brazil’s favelas like a redeemer all the time.
For now, all we can do is keep an eye on the situation and determine who is keeping Murillo out of the Brazil squad and whether he is looking to make the Morgan Gibbs-White transition as a young Forest player, playing for his country for the very first time.
Until Murillo puts on that famous yellow shirt, we can just enjoy our Brazilian star and be grateful that he has graced the grass of the City Ground, and wish him all the best for his remaining appearances in the Garibaldi. COYR! Come on Murillo!
