Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti named his preliminary squad on Monday. Estevao, who had been a regular starter under the Italian since he took charge of the Seleção last year, is absent after a race against time that ultimately could not be won.
Estevao suffered the injury in Chelsea's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on April 18, leaving the pitch in the 16th minute in tears. Initial medical assessments suggested a serious hamstring tear. Globo reported that the player subsequently decided against surgery — which would have definitively ended any World Cup hopes — and instead flew to Brazil to attempt a conservative rehabilitation programme at Palmeiras's facilities.
Chelsea medical staff accompanied him throughout the process and the club kept the situation under close review. Despite his efforts, the timeline was not achievable. Ancelotti's squad announcement has confirmed what Brazilian football sources had privately accepted for some time.
Estevao had scored five goals in his seven appearances under Ancelotti for the national team and was considered a key part of Brazil's attacking plans. He joined Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer for £29million and posted eight goals and four assists across 36 appearances in all competitions in his debut season at Stamford Bridge before the injury cut his campaign short.
Neymar, who recently returned from his own long-term injury, is included in the preliminary squad. Brazil open the tournament against Morocco on June 13 in their group which also includes Haiti and Scotland.
Ancelotti must reduce the 55-man preliminary list to 26 before the tournament begins. Estevao will not be on it.