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David Luiz, Gabriel Jesus return to Brazil's squad for friendlies in Australia

Martin Acosta / Reuters

David Luiz, who was wearing the captain's armband when Brazilian football hit rock bottom at the 2014 World Cup, will again be pulling on a yellow shirt.

On Thursday, Tite called up 24 players for Brazil's friendlies against Argentina and Australia, which are scheduled for June 9 and June 13, respectively. Both matches will take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Luiz and Gabriel Jesus were the most notable inclusions, while Neymar, who last enjoyed a summer of rest in 2010, was omitted from the squad. Marcelo, Casemiro, and Dani Alves, all of whom are playing in the final of the Champions League, were also left off the list.

"Luiz is versatile, he must've played more than 20 games in midfield," Tite said, according to Brasil Global Tour. "He's a player first, a position second."

The last time Luiz represented Brazil was March 2016, when the Selecao and Uruguay played out a 2-2 draw at Arena de Pernambuco in 2018 World Cup qualifying. The Sideshow Bob lookalike failed to shut down Edinson Cavani, as the long-haired forward pulled a goal back for La Celeste, and struggled to contain Luis Suarez, as the cannibalistic striker produced an equaliser.

Luiz wasn't called up again in 2016 but is back in Brazil's squad after playing a significant role in Chelsea's Premier League conquest. He was one third of the Blues' three-man back line, playing between Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill.

Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, last played for Brazil in the Selecao's 2-0 win away to Peru in 2018 World Cup qualifying, a game in which he scored a goal. But the product of SE Palmeiras missed out on the Selecao's qualifiers in March due to a fractured metatarsal.

In an interview with Lance!, Tite made it clear he wasn't thrilled about the first of Brazil's friendlies, saying, according to Tim Vickery: "Rather than Argentina, we would rather be facing a European team."

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