SAO PAULO (AP) The Brazilian football federation says Roma defender Maicon will not join Brazil for friendlies against South Korea and Zambia because of a right leg muscle injury.
Maicon was hurt in Roma's victory over Sampdoria in the Serie A on Sept. 25 and will not recover in time for Brazil's matches against South Korea next Saturday in Seoul, and Zambia on Oct. 15 in Beijing.
He has already missed Roma's league match against Bologna on Sunday.
The Brazilian federation said it was "common sense" to allow the right back to stay with his club to recover.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will not pick a replacement for Maicon, who was Brazil's starter in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
