RIO DE JANEIRO, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho returned to Brazil's squad on Friday for the first time since last year's FIFA World Cup as head coach Tite chose experience ahead of youth for the Copa America.
Fernandinho, 34, was one of four holding midfielders named in the 23-man squad, joining Real Madrid's Casemiro, Barcelona's Arthur and Napoli's Allan.
His inclusion came despite heavy criticism of his performances in Brazil's ill-fated 2014 and 2018 World Cup campaigns. It also came at the expense of 25-year-old Fabinho, who has been a key figure in Liverpool's progress to the UEFA Champions League final.
"Fernandinho knows what we expect, he knows his responsibility," Tite told a news conference. "Fabinho is in great form. It was very difficult. They are playing at the top level and it hurts a coach to choose but that's my job."
Tite also left out Tottenham's Lucas Moura despite the winger's hat-trick in the second leg of the English club's Champions League semifinal defeat of Ajax earlier this month.
Also overlooked were teenage forward Vinicius Junior, his Real Madrid teammate Marcelo and Chelsea midfielder William.
Host Brazil's attacking options during the tournament will include Neymar, David Neres, Everton, Richarlison and Roberto Firmino. Gabriel Jesus was also named despite the striker's limited playing time for Manchester City this season.
Tite said he has yet to decide whether to maintain Neymar as the team captain. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been embroiled in a series of recent controversies, including a violent clash with a fan after the French Cup final which earned him a three-match ban.
"I'm going to speak with Neymar first," Tite said. "Not by phone, but personally. I'm not going to say anything about it now because I'll talk with Neymar before I talk with you (the media)."
The Copa America will be played in five Brazilian cities from June 14 to July 7. Brazil have been drawn in Group A alongside Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela.
Following is the Brazil squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (PSG), Fagner (Corinthians), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Miranda (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Eder Militao (Porto/Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Arthur (Barcelona), Allan (Napoli), Lucas Paqueta (Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona)
Forwards: Neymar (PSG), Richarlison (Everton), David Neres (Ajax), Everton (Gremio), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City). Enditem
