Menezes drops samba stars

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New Brazil coach Mano Menezes has stamped his mark firmly on the Selecao by only including four players from their World Cup campaign in his first squad.

There is no place for luminaries such as Kaka, Luis Fabiano and goalkeeper Julio Cesar in the group to play the United States, and the only players to be retained from Dunga's 23 are Daniel Alves, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Robinho.

Manchester United youngster Rafael is just one of the fresh faces in a young squad which contains 11 debutants.

Half of the 24-man squad ply their trade in Brazil - fulfilling Menezes' and the federation's promise when the former Corinthians boss was officially confirmed as Dunga's replacement on Saturday.

Santos lead the way with five of their players - including Robinho - in the squad.

Either Hernanes or Sandro will have to pull out of the squad depending on the result of the Copa Libertadores semi-final between Sao Paulo and Internacional.

Menezes will link up with the squad for the first time on August 8, two days before their friendly against the USA in New Jersey.

Dunga's contract was not renewed following Brazil's disappointing World Cup campaign, where their hopes of a sixth triumph ended at the quarter-final stage as they let slip a 1-0 lead to suffer a shock 2-1 loss to eventual runners-up Holland.

Menezes, who took charge of Corinthians in 2007 and steered to promotion from Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B before winning the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil last year, bid farewell to his club last night with a 3-1 victory over Guarani.

The Brazil Squad: Victor (Gremio), Jeferson (Botafogo), Renan (Avai); David Luiz (Benfica), Henrique (Santander), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Rafael (Manchester United), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce);: Sandro (Internacional), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Benfica), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Ederson (Lyon), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos); Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Andre (Santos), Neymar (Santos) Robinho (Santos).

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