Fred recalled to Brazil squad

Rio de Janeiro, Nov 14 (IANS) Striker Fred has been recalled to Brazil’s national football squad for next week’s Superclassic of the Americas second leg against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

It will be the 29-year-old’s first appearance for his country for more than a year and comes just two days after his club Fluminense secured the Brazilian championship with a 3-2 victory over Palmeiras, reports Xinhua.

“This crowns a happy and successful season,” Fred said on his Twitter account Tuesday.

Fred, who is the leading goalscorer in Brazil’s top-flight this season with 19 goals, publicly criticised coach Mano Menezes for leaving him out of the national team in August.

Menezes responded at the time by saying the 29-year-old’s comments “were not helpful” to his chances of a recall.

The Nov 21 duel at the Bombonera Stadium comes after Brazil won September’s first leg 2-1 in the Brazilian city of Goiania.

Last month’s return match in the northern Argentine city of Resistencia was called off due to a lighting failure.

Both teams will field South American-based players only under rules outlined by the South America region’s governing body CONMEBOL.

Several of the players selected by Menezes will also feature in Wednesday’s international friendly with Colombia in New Jersey, United States.

IANS 2012-11-14 12:30:16