Real Madrid star Kaka has missed out on a place in Brazil's 23-man squad to face France in February.
Madrid maestro not included by Menezes
Real Madrid star Kaka has missed out on a place in Brazil's 23-man squad to face France in February.
The 28-year-old returned to the Real first team earlier in January after a lengthy spell out following the World Cup with a knee injury.
Coach Mano Menezes has opted against selecting the former World Player of the Year, with speculation that the former AC Milan playmaker has not yet reached full fitness likely to be the biggest reason behind the decision.
Teenage wonderkid Neymar also misses out on a spot due to playing for the Under-20 side in Peru for the South American Championships.
Surprise inclusions to the squad are Bayer Leverkusen's Renato Augusto and Shakhtar Donetsk's Jadson, while Dynamo Kiev striker Andre has also made the list.
Inter Milan stopper Julio Cesar returns to the fold, but experienced duo Lucio and Maicon miss out.
Menezes has also decided not to call up any players playing in their homeland due to pre-season commitments currently under way.
"Our players would suffer in the next games and would play rivals in a different form," he said.
"It is important for us to have the same form, the same physical condition.
"Anyway, we are not going to France with a weak team at all."
Brazil squad to face France
Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham), Neto (Fiorentina); Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Rafael (Manchester United), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Breno (Bayern Munich), David Luiz (Benfica), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan); Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Sandro (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Hernanes (Lazio), Renato Augusto (Bayer Leverkusen), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk), Anderson (Manchester United); Robinho (AC Milan), Andre (Dynamo Kiev), Hulk (Porto), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan).
