Menezes announced the 24 players who would travel to London for the friendly in a press conference held on Thursday afternoon, and the big news is that three of the players who were automatic choices under previous trainer Dunga had made their way back into favour. The former Corinthians tecnico had largely ignored the men who went out in the South Africa quarter finals, with only Dani Alves and Robinho staying in previous lists which leaned towards blooding new men.
The biggest surprise is the absences of Flamengo playmaker Ronaldinho and Milan’s Robinho, who have been first choice for the coach since taking over following the abortive World Cup campaign. Menezes instead favours Sao Paulo prodigy Lucas, who makes his first appearance in the full squad following a sparkling South American Championship for the Under 20s.
Cruzeiro midfielder Henrique could also make his debut for the team after being included. The list of new faces is completed by Valencia forward Jonas, who has enjoyed an encouraging start for Los Che after completing a January move from Gremio.
Speaking at the conference, the coach underlined that his squad continued the pattern of rotating and trying new players, in preparation for the Copa America in four months time.
“It’s a selection that follows the criteria we adopted since the beginning. We talked about the idea of including the players that were in the World Cup. What needs to be clear is that we have a plan for 2014 and in certain moments this plan is divided into priorities. Now the priority is the Copa America. We need to prepare a group for the tournament in Argentina”, Menezes explained, before adding that Ronaldinho and Robinho’s exclusion by no means closed the door on their Selecao future.
“Ronaldinho is evolving gradually. I think if things keep going this way, he will be a part of the Selecao in the future… Robinho is doing well in the Serie A and the Champions League. Sometimes, you have to give the athlete a little rest. If everything goes well, he will be in the Copa America”.
Full Squad to Play Scotland:
Goalkeepers:
Julio César (Inter)
Jefferson (Botafogo)
Victor (Grêmio)
Full Backs:
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Maicon (Inter)
André Santos (Fenerbahçe)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Centre Backs:
Thiago Silva (Milan)
David Luiz (Chelsea)
Luisão (Benfica)
Lúcio (Inter)
Midfielders:
Lucas (Liverpool)
Ramires (Chelsea)
Sandro (Tottenham)
Henrique (Cruzeiro)
Elias (Atlético Madrid)
Elano (Santos)
Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen)
Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Lucas (São Paulo)
Forwards:
Alexandre Pato (Milan)
Nilmar (Villarreal)
Neymar (Santos)
Jonas (Valencia)
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Maicon, Lucio & Elano Back In Brazil Squad For Scotland Friendly