RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s squad for the Copa America Centenario in the United States has been further weakened by the injury loss of Kaka. He will be replaced by Paulo Henrique Ganso.

A statement from the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) said that Kaka would need three weeks to recover from a muscle injury.

The Centenary Copa America starts on Friday, with Brazil kicking off their campaign against Ecuador the following day. They will then face Peru and Haiti in the group stage of the tournament, which is being held in the United States.

Kaka, who himself was a late replacement for Douglas Costa, is the fifth player to drop out the squad due to injury.

However the most high-profile absentee is Barcelona forward Neymar who, afer negotiations between club and country, was permitted a holiday this month ahead of leading Brazil at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

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