Brazilian coach Tite included Manchester City’s Fernandinho for his Copa America squad on Friday, but there was no place for Spurs forward Lucas Moura or Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.
Fernandinho was blamed in some circles for Brazil’s elimination from the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, but he has enjoyed an excellent Premier League season under Pep Guardiola and retains the confidence of the Brazil manager.
“Fernandinho knows what we expect, he knows his responsibility,” Tite told reporters, saying he was mature enough to cope with past criticism.
“Choosing two holding midfielders between Casemiro, Fernandinho and Fabinho is hard,” Tite added.
“Fabinho is going through a great moment, it was very difficult ... All three are playing at the top level and it hurts a coach to choose but that’s my job.”
Moura, meanwhile, lost out despite scoring the hat-trick that took Spurs into the final of the Champions League.