Brazil head coach Tite has revealed the reason for the surprise inclusion of 39-year-old Dani Alves in his squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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Many would not have expected veteran right-back to make the Selecao 26-man squad to travel to Qatar when he was released by Barcelona at the end of last season. Since leaving Catalonia, he joined UNAM Pumas in Mexico's Liga MX.
The Juarzeiro native has not played a match for the Mexican side since September, when Pumas' season ended. Not deterred by the naysayers, Tite has justified the inclusion of football's most decorated footballer by stating that the defender possesses traits which will be invaluable for the five-time world champions going into the competition.
"I didn't come here to please people on Twitter, which I don't even know what percentage of the Brazilian people represents," the 61-year-old coach said during a press conference, as per Sports Mole.
"I respect differing opinions and I'm not here to convince everyone. I just want to give information so that people democratically form their own opinion. Now, everyone has their opinion and everyone has my respect.
"[Alves] adds technical and tactical aspects that are impressive, to be an organiser, an articulator. Sure he is not a 60 to 70 metres player anymore, but he has other virtues.
"The criteria awards his technical quality, but mental and physical aspects too."
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The two-time treble winner, who was an injury doubt for the global showpiece, recently trained with Barcelona B team in order to stay in shape for Qatar and has been passed fit by the Brazil team doctor Fabio Mahseredjian.
"We have been following his recovery from up close and all the data that we have from Barcelona doctors show that he is fit to play," Mahseredjian said to reporters.
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