Midfielder Luiz Gustavo has become the sixth player to be cut from Brazil’s Copa America squad, throwing their preparations for the tournament’s centenary edition into disarray.
Brazil’s football confederation said in a statement on Thursday that the 28-year-old Wolfsburg player was released from the squad due to personal reasons.
He has been replaced by uncapped 21-year-old Gremio midfielder Walace.
Others to have been cut from Brazil’s squad for the tournament in the US are veteran midfielder Kaka, winger Douglas Costa, goalkeeper Ederson, midfielder Rafinha and striker Ricardo Oliveira. All were ruled out due to injury.
Brazil are also without their captain Neymar after his club Barcelona refused to release him for both the Copa America and the Olympic Games in August.
The Selecao will begin their Copa America campaign against Ecuador at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday.