PSV defender Mauro Júnior has been rewarded for his impressive development in Eindhoven with a call-up to the Brazil national team by Carlo Ancelotti.

The 27-year-old could make his international debut during the upcoming break.

Mauro Júnior received major recognition on Wednesday as Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti selected the PSV defender for the national team. The call-up caps a remarkable journey for a player whose qualities have long been valued inside the Eindhoven club.

The Brazilian could theoretically have represented the Netherlands after spending more than five years in the country. Mauro was open to that possibility in recent years, but former Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman never appeared particularly interested in selecting the PSV player, who can operate both at left-back and in midfield.

Mauro first signed for PSV in 2017, although his development into an established first-team player was not immediate.

Former PSV coach Roger Schmidt deserves significant credit for helping Mauro find his role. During his time in Eindhoven between 2020 and 2022, Schmidt recognised the Brazilian's technical ability and mental strength before converting him into a full-back.

The move proved important as Mauro developed into a valuable member of the PSV squad. Injuries had previously disrupted his progress, particularly when PSV were playing twice a week, but careful management of his workload has helped him become more reliable in recent seasons.

Schmidt was not the only coach to maintain faith in Mauro. Ruud van Nistelrooij and current head coach Peter Bosz have also continued to value his contribution.

When Bosz arrived in Eindhoven in June 2023, he immediately made clear that Mauro, alongside Armando Obispo, remained part of his plans. This season, Bosz went a step further by handing Mauro the PSV captaincy.

His leadership qualities had already stood out to the coaching staff. During a crucial match against FC Groningen last season, Mauro delivered a verbal pep talk to his teammates when PSV's title hopes appeared to be slipping away. The three points eventually proved important in the club's championship success.

Mauro has now won every major domestic trophy available to him with PSV. The 2022 KNVB Cup was particularly significant, as the club ended a decade-long wait for the trophy under Schmidt before repeating the achievement under Van Nistelrooij a year later.

PSV's investment in Mauro dates back to the 2014-15 season. FIFA regulations meant he could not officially sign a professional contract until turning 18, which happened in 2017.

There were concerns last summer that Mauro could leave Eindhoven, but technical director Earnest Stewart managed to convince him to stay.

“Mauro? He belongs in a PSV shirt,” Stewart recently said, as quoted by PSV Watcher Rik Elfrink of Eindhovens Dagbald.

Now, that long-term faith has earned him a place in Ancelotti's Brazil squad.

Mauro will, however, miss Thursday evening's Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk. He is serving a one-match suspension stemming from the red card he received against Bayern Munich in January and will therefore watch the match from the stands.