Kaka keeps his place in Brazil squad

Menezes, naming his squad for next month's friendly against Colombia in the United States, also declined to give Ronaldinho another chance despite some good recent performances for Atletico Mineiro in the Brazilian championship.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said the match, at the Metlife stadium in New Jersey on November 14, would be Brazil's 1,000th although it was not clear if this included fixtures against club and representative teams.

"The combination of Oscar and Kaka gave us more tactical variations," Menezes told reporters after announcing his squad.

"We were very complete. You can't just think about the attacking side and the team was good in winning back the ball and this requires the participation of everyone, including Oscar and Kaka."

Zenit forward Hulk and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk midfielder Giuliano were the only two players from the region in Menezes' squad on Tuesday.

"When you are in charge of a complicated process such as this one with so many players to observe, you can't afford to go around in circles and end up at the same place where you started," said Menezes.