Kaka handed Brazil recall

Forgotten midfield star Kaka, who hasn't played international football since the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, was recalled to the Brazil squad on Thursday. The 30-year-old former FIFA Player of the Year was included in a 23-man group for next month's back-to-back friendlies against Iraq and Japan having last played in the 2-1 quarter-finals defeat against the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. "It's important to have players with experience," said coach Mano Menezes who insisted that Kaka will be among the "leaders" of a young Brazilian team which is building towards the 2014 finals which they will host. Real Madrid star Kaka was called up to the national squad for friendlies against Gabon and Egypt in October 2011, but he was forced to withdraw through injury. Roma defender Leandro Castan received a first call-up while there is plenty of youthful attacking flair in Neymar of Santos, Internacional's Leandro Damiao as well as midfielders Oscar of Chelsea and Lucas who plays with Sao Paulo. Brazil squad for friendly internationals against Iraq in Malmo, Sweden, on 11 October and against Japan in Wroclaw, Poland, on 16 October: Brazil squad Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Valencia/ESP), Victor (Atletico), Jefferson (Botafogo) Defenders: Adriano (Barcelona/ESP), Alex Sandro (Porto/POR), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Dede (Vasco), Leandro Castan (Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (PSG/FRA) Midfielders: Fernando (Gremio), Giuliano (Dnipro/UKR), Kaka (Real Madrid/ESP), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Paulinho (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Sandro (Tottenham/ENG), Thiago Neves (Fluminense) Forwards: Hulk (Zenit/RUS), Neymar (Santos), Leandro Damiao (Internacional)