Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha has opened up on the emotion of receiving his first senior Brazil call-up after joining Carlo Ancelotti’s squad in Australia.
The 21-year-old knew he had been included on Brazil’s preliminary list, but that did little to prepare him for hearing Ancelotti announce his name.
Jair arrived in Brisbane on Monday and is now training alongside some of the defenders he has spent years watching from afar.
Jair reveals emotional reaction to Ancelotti call-up
Speaking to the Brazilian FA, Jair explained that he has regularly watched Brazil squad announcements, including the selection for the World Cup.
This one was different.
“I was watching, knowing I could be called up, and seeing the Brazil manager say your name is a huge emotion,” Jair said. “At that moment, I was in shock.”
The Forest centre-back also reflected on his journey to this point and the difficulties he has overcome.
“Coming from where I came from, the struggles I’ve been through… It was a very special and very important moment in my life.”
Representing Brazil has been a childhood ambition for Jair, who described his first senior call-up as an opportunity he could barely put into words.
Forest defender eager to learn from Gabriel Magalhães
Jair grew up admiring former Brazil defenders Lúcio and Juan. His first senior international camp now gives him an opportunity to work alongside another generation of established centre-backs.
The youngster specifically highlighted Marquinhos and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães as two players he hopes to learn from.
“They’re both very established in Europe and I’m a big fan of them,” Jair said. “I hope I can learn as much as possible.”
The experience represents another significant step in Jair’s development.
Having started the season playing Premier League football with Nottingham Forest, he now has an opportunity to impress Ancelotti and learn from some of Brazil’s most experienced players.
Whether a senior international debut follows during the current break remains to be seen, but simply reaching this stage already represents the fulfilment of a childhood ambition.
Key points
- Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha has joined Brazil for his first senior international camp.
- Jair admitted he was “in shock” when Carlo Ancelotti announced his name.
- The 21-year-old knew he had been included on Brazil’s preliminary list.
- Jair wants to learn from Marquinhos and Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães.
- Representing Brazil has been a childhood dream for the Forest centre-back.
What’s next?
Jair will now train with Ancelotti’s squad in Australia as he attempts to make the most of his first experience at senior international level.
A Brazil debut would make the international break even more memorable, but the Forest youngster is already focused on using the camp to learn from the established defenders around him.
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