Rio de Janeiro: New Brazil coach Mano Menezes made wholesale changes with only four survivors from the World Cup when he named his squad on Monday for next month's friendly against the United States.
Dani Alves, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Robinho were the only members of Menezes' squad who were in South Africa, where Brazil lost in the quarter-finals to the Netherlands. Santos pair Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar, controversially left out of the World Cup squad by Menezes' predecessor Dunga, were among 11 uncapped players included.
The others were goalkeepers Jefferson, Renan and Victor, defenders Rafael, David Luis and Rever, midfielders Ederson and Jucilei and striker Andre. Menezes recalled AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato who also missed out on the World Cup as well as Liverpool midfielder Lucas.
The list of omissions included goalkeeper Julio Cesar, defenders Maicon, Lucio and Juan, and playmaker Kaka. "This is a period of recovery, it's not necessary or good for us to use them at the moment," Menezes told a news conference. "It's the start, we're looking ahead, not at what did or didn't happen."
"There are no restrictions although we have to respect age because time goes on and the queue keeps moving." The 48-year-old named his squad two days after replacing Dunga, who quit following the 2-1 defeat by the Dutch just over three weeks ago. Dunga was often criticised for his team's lack of style and former Corinthians coach Menezes said he hoped to return to the more attractive game with which Brazil are associated.
"If we can win playing with the sort of football people like to see, that would be the best outcome possible," he said. Menezes has been appointed to lead Brazil to the 2014 World Cup, which the country will host.
He is also expected to coach the under-23 team at the London Olympics. Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Renan (Avai), Victor (Gremio) Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafael (Manchester United), David Luis (Benfica), Henrique (Racing Santander), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan) Midfielders: Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Ederson (Olympique Lyon), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Benfica), Sandro (Internacional) Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Andre (Santos), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Santos), Robinho (Santos)
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