Rio de Janeiro: Brazil on Friday called up Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Barcelona’s Rafinha for friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States next month after Chelsea duo Oscar and Ramires pulled out through injury.
Brazil coach Dunga had faced criticism earlier this month after omitting Coutinho and Rafinha from his squad for the two games in the United States on September 5 and September 8.
The two friendlies are Brazil’s only games before the start of South American qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in October, where the five-time world champions open with a difficult match against Chile.
It follows a disappointing campaign at the Copa America, where Dunga’s men were eliminated in the quarter-finals to Paraguay.
Lyon right-back Rafael da Silva, meanwhile, said he has not given up the hope of returning to the Brazil national team after his summer move to Lyon. The 25-year-old joined the French club on a four-year deal earlier this month after seven seasons at Manchester United.
He has not played for Brazil since making a mistake in the 2012 Olympic Games final, which Brazil lost 2-1 to Mexico.
“To be selected by Brazil is harder than any club because the slightest mistake is not possible,” Sambafoot quoted Rafael as saying on Thursday.
“I made a mistake in the final of the Olympic Games in 2012, a bad pass that led to Mexico scoring and we lost two goals to one. At a club when you make a mistake, you can make up for it straight away in the next match but it is not possible with Brazil.”
