The Chelsea forward was set to face India in Kolkata… until an injury knocked him out. No details. Just a quiet pull-out. And suddenly, the spotlight shifts. Here’s what most missed: Joao Pedro was only just called back into Brazil’s squad after being shockingly left out of the 2026 World Cup. His form? Stellar. Three goals in six games. Premier League Player of the Month. Then… poof. Injury. Now, Fluminense’s Martinelli steps in. Solid player, sure; but not the same draw for Indian fans. And while Vinicius Jr. and Endrick are still coming (yes, Real Madrid might fly them out right after the match), the loss of Joao Pedro changes the vibe of this fixture. It’s not just about star power; it’s about momentum. A player rising, returning, and then suddenly gone. India’s coach won’t mind the slightly weaker attack; but fans? They were ready for a showdown with one of the Premier League’s hottest forwards. This friendly was already historic. Now, it’s got a twist no one saw coming.