The Brazilian Confederation of Soccer officially presented Mano Menezes as the new head coach of Brazil on Monday.
Immediately after his reception, Menezes then revealed his first roster of players to play in Brazil's upcoming friendly against the United States on August 10.
One day after coaching his last game with Corinthians, leading them to a 3-1 victory over Guarani in the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship, Menezes quickly changed focus and was obliged to present his first list of player to make up the national team.
As expected by the entire country, both of Santos' young stars, Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, topped the list 24 of athletes.
Brazil's new national head soccer coach Mano Menezes shows photographers the Brazilian national team's jacket during a news conference in Rio de Janeiro July 26, 2010. Menezes on Monday announced the names of 22 players who will make up the Brazilian national soccer team for a friendly match against the United States on August 10 in New Jersey.
The match against the United States in New Jersey will be their first while representing Brazil. Their teammates Robinho and Andre also made the cut.
Menezes was expected to list players that exclusively play in Brazil, but he ignored that and registered a list of fullbacks that includes Marcelo (Real Madrid-SPA), Andre Santos (Fernerbahce- TUR), Daniel Alves (Barcelona-SPA), Rafael (Manchester United-ENG), David Luiz (Benfica-POR), Henrique (Racing-SPA), Thiago Silva ( Milan-ITA) and Rever from Atletico-MG.
The midfielders include Sandro (Internacional), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas (Liverpool-ENG), Ramires ( Benfica-POR), Ederson (Lyon-FRA), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenhein) and previously mentioned Paulo Henrique Ganso.
Apart from Robinho, Neymar, and Andre the strikers will feature Alexandre Pato (Milan-ITA) and Diego Tardeli (Atletico-MG).
Menezes' selction of goalkeepers also surprised everyone. He chose Botafogo's Jefferson, Avai's Renan and Gremio's star keeper, Victor.
Menezes' list only carries four of the athletes that played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. They are Robinho, Ramires, Thiago Silva and Daniel Alves.
With these 24 athletes, Menezes officially begins his task of leading Brazil to win the 2014 World Cup while on Brazilian soil.