The Selecao coach denied the 33-year-old made the group solely to provide experience, insisting he earned his place ahead of Coutinho
Brazil coach Dunga says Kaka earned his place in the squad ahead of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, refuting suggestions the 33-year-old was summoned for his experience alone.
The Orlando City man was originally left out of Dunga’s previous squad, for World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela, but was drafted in after Coutinho withdrew with a groin injury.
And Dunga said that Kaka took his opportunity in the Liverpool’s man absence and fully deserves a role in the 23-man squad that will face Argentina and Peru next month.
"Kaka comes in as has done in previous squads,” Dunga said.
“Just as we did before with Robinho, of course we will talk and exchange information, but as always it is technical [ability] that decides whether a player joins the squad.
“Let's enjoy the experience that he can share with the other players, but the technical ability will always carry greater weight."
Kaka was an unused substitute in Brazil’s 2-0 defeat to Chile but came off the bench for the last 15 minutes in the 3-1 victory over Venezuela.
The former Fifa World Player of the Year has nine goals and seven assists in 27 matches for MLS outfit Orlando City this season.
He returned to the Brazil squad in 2014 for November’s Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour victories over Argentina and Japan after 18 months away from international football.
Brazil qualified automatically for World Cup 2014 as hosts and much of the current squad have never participated in a qualification campaign.
Kaka has made four appearances for Brazil since Dunga’s July 2014 appointment, all as a substitute, and all of which arrived in friendly matches.
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