Brazil announce squad for three upcoming fixtures

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has announced the squad that will face Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico in the upcoming fixtures. Ronaldinho and Neymar have been included while injuries have forced Alexandre Pato and Leandro Damiao to sit out.

Menezes announced two sets of teams for the fixtures; one with players playing in the Brazilian league only for the second leg of the Superclasico de las Americas against Argentina while another including overseas-based players for friendlies against Costa Rica and Mexico.

The 22 year old Internacional striker Damiao, who has had a terrific start to the new season and was a certain selection for the friendlies, tearfully limped off the pitch during the match on Wednesday against Figueirense. While Pato is expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks after suffering a thigh injury in Milan’s 1-1 draw against Udinese.

Another player who is missing on the list is Inter captain Lucio, with Menezes opting to play Chelsea‘s David Luiz ahead of the veteran. Speaking to the reporters, Menezes said:

“Dropping Lucio is an option to allow David Luiz to play. It wouldn’t have made sense to call up Lucio if he isn’t going to play.”

Brazil will face Argentina in the second leg of the Superclasico on 28th September after the first leg ended in a 0-0 draw. Brazil then play Costa Rica on 7 October and Mexico four days later.

Brazil squad to face Argentina:Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Rafael (Santos)Defenders: Danilo (Santos), Mario Fernandes (Gremio), Bruno Cortes (Botafogo), Kleber (Internacional), Dede (Vasco da Gama), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Rhodolfo (Sao Paulo), Emerson (Coritiba)Midfielders: Ralf (Corinthians), Paulinho (Corinthians), Casemiro (Sao Paulo), Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Internacional), Diego Souza (Vasco da Gama), Elkeson (Botafogo)Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Borges (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Ronaldinho (Flamengo).

Brazil squad to face Costa Rica and Mexico:Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Fiorentina)Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Fabio (Manchester United) Marcelo (Real Madrid), Adriano (Barcelona), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dede (Vasco da Gama)Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Sandro (Tottenham), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Elias (Sporting), Oscar (Internacional), Hernanes (Lazio)Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Kleber (Porto), Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia), Fred (Fluminense), Ronaldinho (Flamengo).