PSG defender Maxwell handed Brazil call-up

Rio de Janeiro, July 31 (IANS)

Maxwell of PSG looks on prior to the Round of 16 UEFA Champions League match between Paris St Germain and Valencia CF at Parc des Princes on March 6, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Brazil football coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has given a first national call-up to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Maxwell for next month’s friendly against Switzerland.

The Aug 14 duel in Basel will be the Selecao’s first outing since their 3-0 victory over Spain in the Confederations Cup final June 30, reports Xinhua.

Maxwell, 31, enjoyed a successful season at left-back for the Ligue One champions last season after three years at Barcelona.

His place in Brazil’s squad comes at the expense of Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis, the backup to Scolari’s first-choice left-back Marcelo during the Confederations Cup.

Maxwell was the only new inclusion, with goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri,defenders Rever and Filipe Luis, and midfielder Jadson, also cut from the Confederations Cup squad.

Brazil Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers), Jefferson (Botafogo).

Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Jean (Fluminense), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: Fernando (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Luiz Gustavo(Bayern Munich), Paulinho (Tottenham), Oscar (Chelsea), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Lucas (Paris Saint Germain)

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit), Bernard (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense),Neymar (Barcelona).