Rio de Janeiro, Aug 22 (IANS) Chelsea midfielder Ramires and Roma right-back Maicon have been recalled for Brazil’s international friendlies against Australia and Portugal next month.
Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar was also named in coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 22-man squad Wednesday despite not having played a match since the Confederations Cup in June, reports Xinhua.
Maicon, 32, rejoins the Selecao after a two-year absence while Ramires had been out of favour since failing to report to a team meeting in March.
“Ramires has been playing and we have been watching him. He will have a chance to be with us again. The national team has to come first,” Scolari said.
Scolari said he is unconcerned by a string of injuries that limited Maicon to just 14 matches with Manchester City last season.
“By bringing him in we are looking to add even more experience to the squad,” the 2002 World Cup-winning coach said.
Brazil will play Australia in Brasilia Sep 7 before meeting Portugal three days later in Boston.
Other newcomers to the team that beat Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup final are Paris Saint-Germain left-back Maxwell and Palmeiras defender Henrique.
Switzerland last week ended Brazil’s six-match winning run with a 1-0 friendly victory in Basel.
The following is the Brazil squad:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers), Jefferson (Botafogo).
Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Palmeiras), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain).
Midfielders: Fernando (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Paulinho (Tottenham), Oscar (Chelsea), Ramires (Chelsea), Lucas (Paris Saint Germain).
Strikers: Hulk (Zenit), Bernard (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro).
