Carlos Alberto Parreira named his World Cup qualifiers squad on friday to face Peru and Uruguay late this month.
Leading players of the 2002 World Cup-winning team like Ronaldo, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldinho were recalled into the 22-man squad.
Eighteen of the players called play for European clubs, with three from Italy’s AC Milan.
One of the four was Palmeiras goalkeeper Marcos, the starting keeper on Brazil’s 2002 World Cup champions.
Recovered from an injury that sidelined him for much of last year, he returns as a probable backup to AC Milan’s Dida.
Young Santos striker Robinho is also back, fresh from winning his second national title and reportedly bound for Spain’s Real Madrid.
Midfielder Kleberson, who started against Ecuador, was dropped, having struggled with an Achilles’ injury at Manchester United since December. Santos’ Ricardinho also made way for the return of a fit Ze Roberto of Bayern Munich.
“This is World Cup time. There are no easy games,” Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said. “We have to rely on players we know and trust.”
Brazil will meet Peru on March 27 in Goias, Brazil, before playing Uruguay on March 30 in Montevideo.
After a stunning 1-0 loss to Ecuador last November, Argentina leads the group on 22 points, two ahead of Brazil.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan) and Marcos (Palmeiras)
Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Cris (Lyon), Maicon (Monaco) and Gustavo Nery (Corinthians)
Midfielders: Renato (Sevilla), Emerson (Juventus), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon), Alex (Fenerbahce), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Kaka (AC Milan) and Magrao (Palmeiras)
Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Adriano (Inter Milan), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Robinho (Santos) and Ricardo Oliveira (Real Betis)
