Brazil Bonus: Ancelotti calls up RSL trio Bento, Ibanez and Fabinho

The Roshn Saudi League was celebrating on Monday night with news that, for the first time in its history, three of its stars have been called up to the Brazil national team.

Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad includes Al Nassr goalkeeper Bento, Al Ahli defender Roger Ibanez and Al Ittihad midfielder Fabinho, with the trio hoping to feature in the friendlies later this month against France and Croatia.

All three players have been performing superbly in the RSL this year, with Bento playing a huge role in Al Nassr reclaiming top spot in the table.

The Brazil goalkeeper has kept clean sheets in nine of his past 10 league outings, including in Saturday’s 5-0 win at Al Khaleej, and was named RSL Goalkeeper of the Month for February. With eight rounds remaining, Nassr lead the standings by three points.

Meanwhile, fellow title-chaser Ibanez has been one of the league’s standout defenders this season, as Al Ahli sit third, five points off the summit.

The Brazil centre-back, last called into the national team in 2023, has been a regular in the RSL Team of the Week, helping the Asian champions keep clean sheets in 11 of his 22 appearances.

Across Jeddah, Fabinho continues to excel for champions Al Ittihad. The midfielder, integral to his club’s championship win last term, has assumed the captaincy since Karim Benzema’s departure to Al Hilal.

Fabinho, who represented his national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has been almost ever-present for Al Ittihad during the 2025-26 RSL, playing in 24 of his team’s 26 matches.