Real Madrid attacker Julio Baptista has been drafted into the Brazil squad for the Copa America following left-winger Ze Roberto declaring his international retirement on Friday.

Nicknamed the Beast, the 25-year-old played on a season’s loan at Arsenal last term but has now returned to the El Santiago Bernabeu. He had last played for Brazil in the 2-0 win over Wales in a friendly last September.

Ze Roberto, 32, who is back with Bayern Munich after a season at Santos, had earlier informed the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) about his wish to call it a day. He had last featured for the yellow brigade in the 2006 World Cup.

"After much personal meditation, I reached the conclusion that, at the age of 32, I cannot serve the Brazilian national team with the quality required in the current circumstances," Ze Roberto, who made 84 appearances and scored six goals for the Seleção, said in a letter.

"Similarly, I will not be as useful to the group as I was on previous occasions."

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