体坛英语新闻：Ganso left out of Brazil squad for friendlies

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Brazil coach Mano Menezes has left playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso out of a 22-man squad to face South Africa and China next month.

Speaking during a press conference to announce the squad in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, Menezes said Ganso had been left out due to uncertainty about his playing future.

The 22-year-old is understood to have told his club Santos of his intention to leave and reports have linked him with a move to Sao Paulo or Flamengo.

"He needs to make some important decisions," Menezes said. "These uncertainties are currently affecting him."

"We believe in him. We think that once he makes a decision on whether he is going or staying he will once again be the player that we want to see in Brazil's national team."

Until three months ago Ganso was Brazil's No.10 and considered key to the team's World Cup preparations.

But knee surgery in May meant he lost his place in the team to Oscar, who shone during a series of friendlies in Europe and the US.

Not only did Oscar make the playmaker role his own, he also took Ganso's No.10 shirt and is now considered indispensable by Menezes.

Brazil's squad includes 10 players from the team that claimed the silver medal earlier this month at the London Olympics.

Among the surprises were the inclusions of Santos midfielder Arouca and Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio.

Brazil will play South Africa in Sao Paulo on September 7 followed by a duel against China in Recife three days later.

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Valencia), Cassio (Corinthians), Jefferson (Botafogo).

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alex Sandro (Porto), Adriano (Barcelona), Thiago Silva (PSG), David Luiz (Chelsea), Rever (Atletico-MG), Dede (Vasco).

Midfielders: Sandro (Tottenham), Paulinho (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea), Arouca (Santos), Romulo (Spartak), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas (Sao Paulo).

Forwards: Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos), Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia).