Jean Lucas is moved to tears upon receiving his first call-up from Bahia to the national team in 34 years.
The midfielder was included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad to replace Joelinton of Newcastle, who was ruled out due to injury.
247 - Coach Carlo Ancelotti called up, this Wednesday (27), midfielder Jean Lucas, from Bahia, for the Brazilian National Team. The number 6 of Esquadrão was called up after Joelinton's injury and will be available for the next World Cup Qualifying matches, against Chile and Bolivia, in September.
With this call-up, Jean Lucas becomes the first Bahia player to wear the Brazilian national team jersey in 34 years. The last one was midfielder Luís Henrique, in 1991, when he played in friendlies and the Copa América, totaling ten games and four goals for the national team.
In a celebratory atmosphere, the club released a video on its social media showing Jean's emotional reaction upon discovering he had been selected by Ancelotti. In the recording, the athlete is embraced by coach Rogério Ceni. Check it out:
Tricolor history in the National Team
Bahia has had ten players called up throughout its history. The first time was in 1957, with Henrique, Zé Alves, Otoney, Wassil, and Vicente Arenari. In 1989, the year of the Brazilian title, idols Zé Carlos, Bobô, and Charles were called up—the latter scored three goals in nine games wearing the yellow jersey. Luís Henrique, in 1991, was the last representative until Jean Lucas's call-up.
Gratitude and emotion
In an interview at the Evaristo de Macedo training center shortly after the confirmation, Jean Lucas stated that he was still having difficulty processing the feeling after receiving the news: “I think only gratitude to God for everything He has been doing in my life. A mix of emotions, there's no explanation for this moment. I think I've been working very hard here at the club for this opportunity to arrive.”
The player also thanked his family, coach Rogério Ceni, and his teammates. According to him, the celebration in the locker room was marked by shouts and hugs.
“Caio [Alexandre] went to physiotherapy shouting and jumping, and everyone arrived. It was a very special moment and I am very happy,” he reported.
At Bahia since 2024, Jean Lucas has played 103 games and scored 15 goals, with 41 of those games, six goals and one assist in 2025 alone. A product of Flamengo's youth system, he highlighted the emotion of being able to play again at the Maracanã, now wearing the national team jersey. "This was one of my dreams: to play at the Maracanã wearing the Brazilian national team jersey, in my home. There's nothing better," he stated.
Jean Lucas wished Joelinton a speedy recovery and pledged his full focus to live up to the expectations of the coaching staff. "I was anxious from yesterday to today, but now it's all happiness. I'm ready for this challenge," he concluded.
[With information from Esporte Clube Bahia]
