On Sunday, the first wave of Brazilian internationals arrived at the team hotel in Guarulhos ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Uruguay on Thursday.
Real Madrid duo Marcelo and Casemiro were joined by Shandong Luneng defender Gil, Flamengo playmaker Diego, Sport striker Diego Souza, and goalkeepers Weverton of Atletico PR and Benfica’s Ederson.
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And Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who returns to the squad after missing the Selecao’s last four qualifiers through injury, admits he would be happy with a draw that could see Brazil seal mathematical qualification for Russia 2018 this month.
“You always think about winning the match, but we have to play for the points we need. I do not see the draw as being a bad result for us, but Brazil always play to win,” he said.
Uruguay will be without their all-time leading scorer Luis Suarez, with the Barcelona star suspended for the clash, and Casemiro conceded the Barcelona star’s absence was big positive for the Selecao.
"We can't deny it, of course it's better playing Uruguay when they don’t have Suarez," he said. "Suarez is a great player."
Midfielders Paulinho and Renato Augusto are among the China-based player who arrived early and were joined on Monday by Corinthians right-back Fagner, Palmeiras captain Dudu, Inter defender Miranda, Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luís and Chelsea’s Willian.
Brazil’s first official training session will take place with 14 players at the Corinthians training facility in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.
Brazil meet Uruguay in Montevideo on Thursday March 23 before hosting Paraguay in Sao Paulo on Tuesday March 28.
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