Cesar returns to Brazil squad
Reuters - Tuesday 25 January 2011, 16:05
RIO DE JANEIRO - Inter Milan goalkeeper
Julio Cesar was called up by Brazil for the first time since the
2010 World Cup on Tuesday for next month's friendly away to
France.
The 23-man squad picked by coach Mano Menezes includes
uncapped midfielders Jadson of Shakhtar Donetsk and Renato
Augusto of Bayer Leverkusen.
However, there was still no call-up for Real Madrid's Kaka,
who has only recently returned from a long layoff after knee
surgery. World Cup defenders Lucio, Juan and Maicon were also
overlooked.
Julio Cesar, regarded as one of the world's best goalkeepers
going into the World Cup in South Africa, last played in
Brazil's 3-2 upset quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands.
"This was already part of our plans and it's with happiness
that I call up Julio Cesar for the first time," Menezes told a
news conference.
Menezes said he had picked only European-based players for
the match at the Stade de France on February 9 because at home
players were only just getting back into match fitness at the
start of the 2011 season.
"The players who play in Europe are in a rhythm of
competition, in equal conditions to our adversaries on February
9, France," Menezes said.
He also pointed out that several leading Brazilian teams
were preparing for the group phase of the South American
Libertadores Cup which kicks off the same week of the friendly.
NO NEYMAR
Teenage prodigy Neymar of Santos was also not included as he
is with the Brazil youth team at the South American under-20
championship in Peru.
France won their last meeting with Brazil 1-0 in the 2006
World Cup quarter-finals in Germany. They also beat Brazil 3-0
in the 1998 World Cup final at the Stade de France.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham
Hotspur), Neto (Fiorentina)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Rafael (Manchester
United), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Breno
(Bayern Munich), David Luiz (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan),
Luisao (Benfica)
Midfielders: Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro
(Tottenham Hotspur), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Hernanes (Lazio),
Anderson (Manchester United), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen),
Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Forwards: Robinho (AC Milan), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan),
Andre (Dynamo Kiev), Hulk (Porto)