Joao Pedro breaks silence after press conference blunder left Chelsea star panicking

Joao Pedro will join up with the Brazil squad over the international break, but the Chelsea star initially thought Carlo Ancelotti didn't include him

Chelsea star Joao Pedro has revealed his relief after he was accidentally left out of the Brazil squad announcement by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The nation are in action over the international break as they take on France and Croatia in friendlies as they start their build-up to this summer’s World Cup.

Ahead of the games, Ancelotti officially announced his squad in a press conference on Monday. However, Pedro’s name was not read out, despite his picture and name appearing on the screen in the background.

The forward has now admitted that the mistake left him in a state of panic. In an interview with Panela SporTV, Pedro said: "It always feels like the first time [to be called up] those butterflies in the stomach.

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"And then when he [Ancelotti] finished the list, I said to myself: 'Damn! I've been left out!!'”

After a few minutes, Pedro received confirmation from Brazil’s team director Rodrigo Caetano that he had, in fact, been included. Ancelotti later apologised and confirmed that he had missed his name from the list.

Pedro added: "Then everyone started calling me, I didn't know what was happening... then I came back and thought: ‘Damn, I'm in, I'm in!’ haha'.

"But it's the same feeling of butterflies ever since my first call-up.

"I'm very happy. I'm in a really special moment in my life at the moment as well, and now let's go all out to beat France and Croatia."

The 24-year-old will be hoping to add to the six caps he has for Brazil during the two games. Pedro goes into the matches in impressive form, having scored eight times in his last nine Premier League games, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has praised the forward’s performances, comparing him to the world’s best strikers. “In the two months I've been here, he has consistently shown he is a world‑class striker,” he said.

"I talk about my players; it's disrespectful to Erling [Haaland] to compare them. I don't know Erling very well, but from the outside he looks a magnificent, world‑class striker.

"I wouldn't swap Joao for anyone at this moment - he is showing all the qualities and attributes I want to see.

"The great thing for Joao is his age - he can still improve, and I've already noticed several areas where he can get better. But the level he's operating at now is world class, and it's my job, the club's job and his job to keep him there."