Robinho in Brazil squad for Copa America, but injured Oscar omitted
SAO PAULO --
Veteran striker Robinho was summoned by Brazil for the Copa America, while an injured Oscar was left out of the squad on Tuesday.
Neymar and defenders David Luiz and Thiago Silva were included in coach Dunga's list for Brazil's first official competition after the disappointing World Cup elimination at home last year.
Brazil opens against Peru on June 14, then plays Colombia on June 17, and Venezuela on June 21 to close out the group stage of the 12-nation tournament.
Robinho was in Dunga's team that won the Copa America in 2007, and the coach said he brought back the 31-year-old player to take advantage of his experience. The striker has been playing well since returning to Brazilian football on a loan from AC Milan.
''Robinho knows his role in the national team right now,'' Dunga said.
''He was called up because of his performances with Santos, but also because of the experience he can bring to the younger players. Back then (in 2007), he was the reference in the squad and had a brilliant tournament.''
Robinho was the top scorer in the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela, and was voted the tournament's most valuable player, leading Brazil to the title in Dunga's first stint at the helm of the national team. He was a starter for Dunga in the 2010 World Cup, but did not make it to Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad last year.
Oscar was expected to play in Chile but Dunga said the playmaker was not expected to fully recover from a muscle injury.
''He got injured in Chelsea's last practice session, and after talking to the team we found out that his recovery process will take a little bit longer,'' Dunga said. ''He would not be fully fit for the Copa America.''
Oscar was disappointed to miss out on the tournament.
Ge wrote on Twitter: "I'm really sad that I can't represent my country in
the Copa America because of injury. Thanks to everybody for the well wishes!!''
Everton Ribeiro, who thrived with Brazilian champion Cruzeiro before transferring to the United Arab Emirates this year, will be Oscar's replacement at midfield.
Porto midfielder Casemiro also was added to Dunga's 23-player list, but the rest of the team is virtually the same from recent victories in friendlies against France and Chile.
Brazil has won all eight matches since Dunga took over after the World Cup.
Brazil will play friendlies at home against Mexico and Honduras before heading to Chile.
Brazil has won four of the last six Copa Americas. Uruguay won the last tournament at home in 2011.
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Brazil:
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio) Diego Alves (Valencia)
Defenders: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Fabinho (Monaco), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), Danilo (Porto)
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Elias (Corinthians), Casemiro (Porto), Everton Ribeiro (Al Ahli), Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim), Willian (Chelsea), Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk).
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Diego Tardelli (Shandong), Robinho (Santos).
