Name: Fred
Position: Striker
Club: Fluminense
Caps [goals]: 31 [16]
The forward started his career at América-MG but it was a short, high-scoring spell with their rivals, Cruzeiro, which thrust Fred into the spotlight. He joined Lyon for €15 million in 2005 and spent four years in France, before returning to Brazil with Fluminense in 2009.
Why has he been selected?
Luiz Felipe Scolari installed Fred as his first-choice striker when he returned to coach the national team last year. Aside from time out with injury, Fred has kept hold of his position with Brazil and he impressed at the 2013 Confederations Cup, scoring five goals.
How has he played this season?
He has made a solid but unspectacular start to the season with Fluminense. After a red card against Grêmio, he will now be turning his attentions to the World Cup.
What will his role be in Brazil?
Before last year’s Confederations Cup, many would have seen his primary role as providing a distraction for opposition defenders, to allow his more talented teammates to do the damage.
But he proved that he is an instinctive goalscorer and technically better than some may have believed. If he can bring others into play, and get amongst the goals himself, then he could lead his country to glory this summer.
