Rio de Janeiro, Sep 2 (IANS): Brazil captain Thiago Silva has been ruled out of the team's upcoming international friendlies against South Africa and China because of a thigh injury.
The Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) said the 27-year-old had failed to recover from a right quadriceps strain suffered during Brazil's 3-0 victory over Sweden in Stockholm last month, reports Xinhua.
The injury means Atletico Mineiro's Rever and Vasco da Gama's Dede will have the chance to partner David Luiz at the heart of Brazil's defence.
Coach Mano Menezes' team will play South Africa in Sao Paulo Sep 7 followed by a duel against China in Recife three days later.
Silva became the most expensive defender in history when he was bought by Paris Saint-Germain for 41 million euros from AC Milan in July.