Defender Felipe, from Atlético de Madrid, was released from Brazil’s concentration in the Copa América-2021 due to an injury to his right knee, reported the Brazilian Football Confederation.
“Examinations confirmed that he would not have playing conditions for the competition,” the CBF said in a statement.
The Atleti defender suffered an injury “in the partial external collateral ligament” in training the day before the 4-0 win over Peru on June 17 at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It is the first loss of the defending champion since the Cup began.
Felipe and Douglas Luiz, from Aston Villa in England, are the only two players of the ‘Seleçao’, of the 24 called, who have not debuted in the 47th edition of the oldest selection tournament in the world.
The centre-back, Tite’s fourth choice behind Marquinhos, Thiago Silva and Eder Militao, has since received treatment but has failed to recover and will be replaced by Léo Ortiz of Red Bull Bragantino from Sao Paulo state.
Ortiz, 25, receives his first call-up with the ‘Canarinha’, which he will join on Tuesday after the end of the group stage, the bulletin added.
Classified as leader of Group B, Brazil will close the first round against Ecuador on Sunday in Goiania.
After the match, he will return to his training venue, in Teresópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, to prepare for the quarterfinal game against a rival to be defined. AFP (HN)