Joao Unlucky - Chelsea Star Named Blues’ Player of the Season… Hours After Being Dropped from World Cup Squad

Joao Pedro Dropped by Brazil

Chelsea star and Brazil forward Joao Pedro may have been crowned as the Blues' player of the season this term, but this was not enough for him to make the grade as part of Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Pedro, 24, has had a fantastic debut campaign in East London since his big-money arrival from Brighton in the summer of 2025, netting 23 goals in all competitions despite Chelsea enduring a fairly miserable season overall.

However, this individual good work has not been rewarded by Ancelotti. The Italian manager is leading Brazil into his first World Cup tournament, and he has instead opted to elect veteran forward Neymar into his national selection, despite questions rising over the 34-year-old's dwindling impact on the global stage.

Joao Pedro Crowned Chelsea Player of the Season

Pedro has been a popular figure over at Stamford Bridge, securing a whopping 60% of the fan voting from Chelsea fans to beat off midfield stars Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo for the intra-club accolade.

Joao Pedro has had quite the 24 hours:

• Left out of the Brazil World Cup Squad 🇧🇷
• Announced as Chelsea’s POTY 🏆#Chelsea | #WorldCup | #Brazil pic.twitter.com/aoRaDY06Rj

— Football Park (@thefootballpark) May 19, 2026

While international recognition has eluded him, Joao Pedro’s impact at Stamford Bridge has been powerful since his £60m move from Brighton in the summer. He has become only the sixth player in Chelsea history to record 20 Premier League goal involvements inside a maiden campaign, joining an esteemed list featuring the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cole Palmer. With two league outings remaining at time of writing, the forward has produced 15 goals and five assists in the Premier League. Across all competitions, he has contributed 25 goals and assists.

Chelsea fans will get the opportunity to celebrate Pedro's crowning at Stamford Bridge later this evening. The club have confirmed that the award will be presented to the forward before their rivalry showdown against relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur. Following the match, Chelsea face impressive promoted side Sunderland on the Premier League finale day, with Pedro and his colleagues still hoping to qualify for, at the very least, next season's Europa League before former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso takes the reigns in East London.

For Tottenham, their game with Chelsea sees them with a chance to confirm their survival against a shock relegation battle. The Lilywhites dropped into the bottom three for the first time in years earlier this season but have recovered after the recruitment of Roberto de Zerbi. With Nottingham Forest already safe after a draw at home with Newcastle United, a win for Spurs tonight will condemn West Ham to the Premier League trap door.

Ancelotti Explains Decision to Dismiss Pedro

Speaking after unveiling his squad, Ancelotti recognised that some players would obviously be let down by the final choices made for Brazil.

🇧🇷💔 João Pedro’s family waited all evening for Carlo Ancelotti to call up João Pedro for the World Cup… but in the end, his name was never announced.
pic.twitter.com/c2BneyUGZV

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 19, 2026

"Some of the players who were with us this year won't be happy with this list. I'm sorry, and I want ‌to thank everyone who was with us," Ancelotti told a gathered press conference, who witnessed the unveiling of the squad live.

Joao Pedro later responded with a composed statement following the omission on social media. He wrote on Instagram: "I tried to give my best at all times. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to fulfill this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be. Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there and I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home."