The rate at which the Selecao are losing players to Asia is becoming an increasingly worrying trend for coach Dunga.
Corinthians playmaker Renato Augusto had been the star of the season for the Brazilian champions. He’d forced his way not only into the Brazil squad for the first time in five years, but into the starting XI. And he’d scored, steering in the Selecao’s second in a 3-0 victory over Peru.
The deep-lying playmaker looked to have put his injury problems that blighted his career well and truly behind him. Europe was calling. Germany wanted the former Leverkusen man back.