After announcing his list of 28 players. Mano Menezes answered questions from the Brazilian media. He showed confidence in his choices and admitted that since he had taken command of the Selecao he felt pressured. “Pressured to do a good job,” he said. “This pressure won’t get better or worst in function of the occasions; it is a constant feeling to reach the objectives.”
Mano then said that whatever the results were during the Copa America it will have no influence for the next World Cup. “We have won World Cup without winning the Copa America. And we have won Copa America without winning the World Cup,” he said. “We are all professional and we all know what we need to do in order to win.”
Teased about his choice to call Fred and Thiago Neves to the National Team, Mano said: “we’ll take 22 players to the Copa America, It is not about individuals but about a balanced group made of experienced players and less experienced ones that have shown incredible capacities since the last call”.
The Selecao will play against the Netherlands and Romania in June. In the second game Ronaldo Phenomeno will make his good bye to the National Team by playing in the first half.
“Ronaldo will play just a few minutes in the first half in order for him to celebrate the last time he is wearing the yellow and green jersey,” said Mano. “He brought so much to the National Team it is normal to show him our appreciation and respect.”
