Robinho recalled for Brazil’s Chapecoense friendly

RIO DE JANEIRO: Former Real Madrid striker Robinho was recalled by Brazil for the first time in more than a year on Thursday to face Colombia in a charity match to raise funds for the victims of the Chapecoense air crash.

The Atletico Mineiro player, who will be 33 on the day of the game, was called up alongside his former Santos colleague Diego, who is now with Flamengo, and Palmeiras’ striker Dudu.

“Playing for Brazil on my birthday is a great present and a great honour,” the one- time Manchester City player said on Twitter of the Jan 25 match in Rio de Janeiro.

Coach Tite agreed not to call up European- based players for the match whose proceeds will go to the families of those who perished in the air crash in November in Colombia.

More than 70 people, including dozens of players and staff with the Brazilian club, were killed in the crash. The club were due to face Colombian side Atletico Nacional in the final of the Copa Sudamericana. Only six people survived.

Tite, who called up five of Brazil’s triumphant Olympic side, said it was a chance to evaluate new players but added it was not about winning or losing.

“The r e sul t i sn’ t r eal ly important,” he told reporters in Rio de Janeiro. “If ever there was game that I took the field and didn’t care who wins, this is the game. This is about people.”

The international, which will be played at Rio’s Olympic stadium, will serve as a warm up for Brazil’s next World Cup qualifiers, away to Uruguay on March 23 and at home to Paraguay five days later. — Reuters