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Main » 2013 » March » 20 » Luiz coy on Brazil captaincy

Luiz coy on Brazil captaincy

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Brazil defender David Luiz said the captaincy for his nation's friendly with Italy on Thursday was still up in the air.
It is rumoured the armband will fall either to the Chelsea man or PSG defender Thiago Silva, with Luiz claiming a decision was yet to be made on who would lead Brazil out of the tunnel at the Stade de Geneve.

"I do not know who it will be. I think both have to keep the spirit of leadership within the team. The most important thing is the team and all players have to try their best," Luiz said. 

"Thiago Silva and I have a great friendship off the field too and I'm sure whoever is the captain will do the best for the team. I'm happy with his return, he deserves to be in the Brazil national team. 

"He had some problems with injuries, these are the worst times for a football player, but now I'm happy for him."

Luiz said the clash in Switzerland will evoke memories of their 1994 World Cup final.

The 25-year-old said he has great memories of the game - which was decided when Italy's Roberto Baggio missed a penalty - despite being only seven years old.

"I remember Roberto Baggio missing the last penalty. I was at my grandmother's house in Minas Gerais, and I remember that we were coming out onto the street," Luiz recalled.

"I think it was the first big thrill I felt as a football fan and I understood that the whole country was happy with winning the World Cup. I have many memories of the 1994 World Cup, I do not know why, I was very young. But I think I have more memories of '94 than '98.

Chelsea stopper Luiz warned his colleagues to be wary of former Manchester City front man Mario Balotelli, having faced him on several occasions in the Premier League.

"I've had the opportunity to play against Balotelli. He is a great player and I hope he doesn't have good day against us," he said.

Chelsea teammate Oscar feels the friendly will act as a preview for June's Confederations Cup, which sees the two nations drawn in the same group.

"It's a very important match, it's a preview of the Confederations Cup, because we will face them there. It is important we have a great match," Oscar said.

"I think all players have to be playing at a high level. This is what is happening to us here at Chelsea. The friendly is important for us to build our rapport. It will be good to face Russia and Italy to have great games and get confidence too."

Luiz and Oscar's club teammate Ramires has been ruled out of the clash after suffering an adductor injury playing for Chelsea on Sunday.
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