- Title: Robinho recalled for Brazil's Chapecoense friendly
- Date: 19th January 2017
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (JANUARY 19, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BRAZIL COACH, TITE, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS LOOKING AT THE LIST OF PLAYERS CALLED FOR CHAPECOENSE FRIENDLY CAMERAMAN FILMING EVENT (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL COACH, TITE, SAYING: "Yes, there is absolutely an aspect of that, one of the criteria that we observed was that all (players) could be present at their respective stages, I do not see age as an impediment, what I see is execution, performance, and a high level, both in the youngest - the youngest (player) is Jorge who is 20 years-old, and the oldest is 32 years-old, that is Robinho, and they are in perfect condition to play for the Brazilian side." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL COACH, TITE, SAYING: "We spoke with Pequerman and I thanked him, and thanked the Colombian people through him because - even at my level in the hierarchy - I thanked him for accepting the game, so that we can honour Chapecoense and show some affection to the Colombian people, and that through their team, they can show us that greatness can come, because I know the degree of competition, and I know that the Brazilian players will try to do their best, and the Colombian players too, and I know that they are in the middle of other projects, other situations, at the start of the year. We have announced the possibility of using 22 or 23 players, as a way of preserving the players' health and maintaining them in excellent physical condition. Beyond that, we are all in agreement that the result does not matter, for me, humanly, it matters very little." TITE SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZIL COACH, TITE, SAYING: "For me, particularly as a human, the result does not matter, I would cheer for it to be a draw, for me, as a human. However, I would never take from an athlete the possibility of demonstrating to me and to all of Brazil: 'Look, I have the condition and technical qualities and I can be in the next (match).' These are parallel situations for them." TITE LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 2nd February 2017 16:38
- Keywords: Chapecoense friendly Brazil Colombia Tite soccer Robinho
- Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0015ZR0F9B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Former Real Madrid striker Robinho was recalled by Brazil for the first time in more than a year on Thursday (January 19) 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.
Speaking at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil coach, Tite, said he did not see age as a problem in recalling the player alongside teammates over a decade his junior.
"Yes, there is absolutely an aspect of that, one of the criteria that we observed was that all (players) could be present at their respective stages, I do not see age as an impediment, what I see is execution, performance, and a high level, both in the youngest - the youngest (player) is Jorge who is 20 years-old, and the oldest is 32 years-old, that is Robinho, and they are in perfect condition to play for the Brazilian side," Tite told reporters on Thursday.
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.
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.
Tite said he was grateful to the opposing coach for having accepted to play the match amid other campaigns.
"We spoke with Pequerman and I thanked him, and thanked the Colombian people through him because - even at my level in the hierarchy - I thanked him for accepting the game, so that we can honour Chapecoense and show some affection to the Colombian people, and that through their team, they can show us that greatness can come, because I know the degree of competition, and I know that the Brazilian players will try to do their best, and the Colombian players too, and I know that they are in the middle of other projects, other situations, at the start of the year. We have announced the possibility of using 22 or 23 players, as a way of preserving the players' health and maintaining them in excellent physical condition. Beyond that, we are all in agreement that the result does not matter, for me, humanly, it matters very little," said Tite.
More than 70 people, including dozens of players and staff with the Brazilian club, were killed in the air crash in the Colombian jungle.
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.
"For me, particularly as a human, the result does not matter, I would cheer for it to be a draw, for me, as a human. However, I would never take from an athlete the possibility of demonstrating to me and to all of Brazil: 'Look, I have the condition and technical qualities and I can be in the next (match).' These are parallel situations for them," said Tite.
Tite called up highly rated Gremio pair Luan and Walace, goalkeeper Weverton, and Vasco da Gama centre back Luan.
Chapecoense will play their first competitive game since the crash a day after the match, when they face Joinville in a local league fixture. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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