Brazil call on Kaka for Copa America return as Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa drops out of squad with a thigh injury

Brazil call on Kaka for Copa America return as Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa drops out of squad with a thigh injury

  • Kaka replaces Douglas Costa in Brazil’s Centenary Copa America squad
  • Bayern Munich winger has suffered a thigh injury that has ruled him out
  • Playmaker Kaka has not played a full match for his country since 2012 

Brazil have called on Kaka as a late addition for next month’s Centenary Copa America in the United States after Douglas Costa pulled out.

The Orlando City midfielder will replace Bayern Munich’s Douglas Costa, who was cut from the squad because of an injury to his left thigh.

Former AC Milan and Real Madrid player Kaka has been a regular in coach Dunga’s squads without getting much game time.

Kaka has been called up to Brazil’s squad for this summer’s Centenary Copa America in the United States

Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa has had to pull out of the squad, leaving space for Kaka

Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa has had to pull out of the squad, leaving space for Kaka

The 34-year old has not played a full match for the national side since 2012.

He is the second player to be added to the squad because of injury, with Benfica’s Jonas replacing striker Ricardo Oliveira, who also dropped out.

Brazil are in the Copa Group B with Ecuador, Haiti and Peru. They will face Panama in a warm up friendly on Sunday in Denver.

Dunga named Kaka in his 40-man provisional roster but did not select him for the final squad when the cut came earlier this month.

The Selecao have been training at Los Angeles Galaxy’s StubHub Center in preparation for the Panama fixture this week and Kaka could be required to miss Orlando’s game against New York City on Sunday.

The Lions have yet to be informed of the schedule for when Kaka will need to join his international team-mates after his call-up.

Kaka has not played a full match for Brazil since 2012 and he was cut from Dunga's original squad

Kaka has not played a full match for Brazil since 2012 and he was cut from Dunga’s original squad

BRAZIL’S COPA AMERICA SQUAD 

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Internacional), Diego Alves (Valencia), Ederson (Benfica).

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Fabinho (Monaco), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro), Miranda (Internazionale), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo).

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Rafinha (Barcelona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Lucas Lima (Santos), Willian (Chelsea), Kaka (Orlando City).

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg), Jonas (Benfica), Gabriel (Santos).

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk