Kaká recall for Gabon and Egypt friendlies

Good form for Real has earned Kaká a recall (Getty Images)

A few weeks ago it was an all local affair, now it is an all international affair as Mano Menezes named his squad for Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches against Gabon and Egypt.

Brazilian clubs have been furious with recent national team friendly matches, losing their key players for important league matches. The Brazilian fixture calendar is a joke (waaaay too many games) and unlike Europe, it does not stop for international fixtures. So, with the Serie A season coming to a dramatic finale common sense prevailed and Mano Menezes called up foreign based players only for these two matches.

The pick of the bunch is Kaká who, thanks to his sparkling form for Real Madrid, earns his first call up in the Mano Menezes era. Dudu (ex-Cruzeiro), Alex Sandro (ex-Santos), Willian and Bruno César (both ex-Corinthians) were all called up for the first time. Robinho was the surprise exclusion.

Keepers: Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia)

Full-backs: Alex Sandro (Porto), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Barcelona), Fabio (Manchester United)

Defenders: Thiago Silva (Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Luisão (Benfica)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern de Munique), Sandro (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Shakhtar), Elias (Sporting)

Midfielders: Bruno César (Benfica), Hernanes (Lazio), Kaká (Real Madrid), Willian (Shakhtar), Dudu (Dí­namo de Kiev)

Forwards: Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia), Kléber (Porto)

So, what are peoples thoughts on that?

I’m pleased to see Kaká back. He deserves it with his start to the season for Real. I’m looking forward to having another look at the likes of Luiz Gustavo, Hernanes and Hulk too. Alex Sandro is liability defensively if ever there was one, definitely not seleção material. Interesting decision to leave out the fit-again Robinho. I guess Mano is trying to make sure he stays on his toes. I’m not quite sure why Maicon continues to be left out.

The match with Gabon will be played on 10th of November in Gabon. The Egypt game is on the 14th of November in Doha.

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7 thoughts on “Kaká recall for Gabon and Egypt friendlies

  1. Kaka deserves his call up.He seems back to his old self this season.Whether once the Seria A players are back id start him is another question although with Ganso never being fit nowadays it leaves a position free for him.
    You learn something new everyday as well- didnt realise Jonas was Brazillian.

  2. Kaka definitely deserved the callup. Now that’s he’s playing well he’s going to be crucial to the national team as if goes forward. I’m not sure how Alex Sandro got in, and Dudu over Douglas Costa seems a bit strange. It’s a pity Michel Bastos was injured. I really thought he should be given a chance in his correct position.

  3. Pato, robinho, nilmar, douglas costa, ramires should be on the team. I hate to see fernandinho on the team i dont know what they see on him. And you’re wrong about alex sandro he’s a great young player with a big future and definitely selecao material.

  4. Chino, you obviously didnt see Alex Sandro play in the Libertadotes this year. When he came on for leo he almst cost Santos the title. He is a carbon copy of Andre Santos. Okay going forward. Terrible defender. Even Gordon (Santos blogger) doesnt know how he got a call up.

  5. Pingback: Seleção latest | Brazilian Football Blog

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