Kaka set to make long-awaited Brazil return
Reuters - Thursday 27 October 2011, 15:55
Kaka has been recalled by
Brazil for the first time since last year's World Cup in South
Africa for friendlies against Gabon and Egypt next month.
The Real Madrid midfielder has come back into form in La
Liga after being plagued by injuries and has not played for
Brazil since their quarter-final exit at the World Cup.
"I always said [Kaka's] return would depend on his
production, his performances as they have been occurring for
Real Madrid. We're very happy with his return," coach Mano
Menezes told reporters on Thursday.
"I think of Kaka as I do of Ronaldinho. We need players of
their experience in the national team... now he's at the level
we want him to be," he said after naming a 23-man squad.
"That doesn't mean he's already done enough but you have
more confidence in him being able to produce more and more at
the highest level."
The squad is made up solely of players based abroad so as
not to disrupt home teams in the run-in to the Brazilian
championship.
Flamengo's Ronaldinho and Neymar of Santos, who have become
automatic choices for Menezes, were left out after the Brazilian
Football Confederation and Menezes accepted local clubs'
requests to be spared call-ups for their top players.
Brazil, the 2014 World Cup hosts, are making the most of
FIFA dates when South America's other countries have World Cup
qualifiers. They meet Gabon in Libreville on November 10 and Egypt
in Doha four days later.
Goalkeepers: Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia)
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves, Adriano
(both Barcelona), Alex Sandro (Porto), Fabio (Manchester
United), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Luisao
(Benfica)
Midfielders: Dudu (Dynamo Kiev), Elias (Sporting, Portugal),
Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Kaka (Real
Madrid), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich),
Sandro (Tottenham), Bruno Casar (Benfica)
Forwards: Willian (Shakhtar Donetsk), Jonas (Valencia),
Kleber, Hulk (both Porto)