Filipe Luis joins Brazil squad

Filipe Luis has been recalled by coach Tite for October’s Brasil Global Tour double-header against Saudi Arabia and Argentina.

The Atletico Madrid full-back was originally left out of the squad for this month’s tests but was handed a recall on Thursday after Marcelo was forced to withdraw through injury.

Marcelo himself had been left out of Tite’s first post-World Cup squad, which met USA and El Salvador last month.

The Real Madrid man is now facing a battle with Juventus’ Alex Sandro for a starting role at left-back ahead of next year’s Copa America.

But a calf injury means he will now have to wait at least until November to stake his claim for a return to the back-four.

33-year-old Filipe Luis has been a regular in the Selecao squad in two years under Tite, acting as first reserve to Marcelo.

The Atleti man appears to be coming to the end of his international career but remains popular among the players and the coaching staff, who believe he can still bring something to the squad as they prepare for Copa America 2019 and that he can have a positive influence on the young players who look set to lead a new generation into Qatar 2022.

Brazil meet Saudi Arabia at King Saud University in Riyadh on October 12 before meeting Argentina at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on October 16.