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          Robinho, Marcelo back in Brazil squad for friendlies

            Mar 5, 2015, 11:49 AM ET

            SAO PAULO -- Robinho and Marcelo are back in Brazil's squad for upcoming friendlies against France and Chile.

            Brazil will play France at Stade de France on March 26 and Chile at Emirates Stadium in London on March 29. The games will serve as preparation for the Copa America in June, which will be Brazil's first official competition since its elimination in the semifinals of the World Cup.

            Brazil hasn't played since beating Turkey 4-0 and Austria 2-1 in friendlies in November, when Robinho and Marcelo didn't play.

            Marcelo hadn't been called up by Brazil coach Dunga since Brazil's first friendlies after the World Cup. The 31-year-old Robinho, who was a starter when Dunga coached Brazil in the 2010 World Cup, has been thriving with Brazilian club Santos.

            "Robinho has been playing well and is a reference to other players," Dunga said Thursday. "That is very important."

            Dunga also picked Neymar, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Oscar, Willian and Philippe Coutinho. Striker Diego Tardelli became the first national team player to be selected from a Chinese team.

            Among the players left out were Ramires, Luiz Adriano, Alex Sandro and Kaka, who is now playing in the United States.

            "We are trying to observe as many players as we can," Dunga said. "This is not a definite list. We have these friendlies, the Copa America and then the World Cup qualifiers, which will be our most important matches of the year."

            Brazil will debut in the Copa America against Peru on June 14. World Cup qualifying will begin later in the year, when Brazil will play four matches in the South American qualifying group.

            Squad:

            Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio) Diego Alves (Valencia)

            Defenders: David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Miranda (Atletico Madrid), Fabinho (Monaco), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Chelsea), Danilo (FC Porto)

            Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Elias (Corinthians), Souza (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea), Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim), Willian (Chelsea)

            Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Diego Tardelli (Shandong), Robinho (Santos), Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk)