Sao Paulo: Brazil defender Thiago Silva will miss his country’s final 2018 World Cup qualifier against Chile on Tuesday with a thigh muscle injury he suffered in Thursday’s 0-0 draw against Bolivia.
The 33-year-old Paris Saint-Germain centre-back hobbled off in the 27th minute of the match in La Paz.
Brazil have already wrapped up top spot in South American qualifying, having been the first nation to join hosts Russia in booking a spot at next year’s World Cup finals.
Coach Tite has called up Sao Paulo defender Rodrigo Caio, 24, to replace Silva.
“Rodrigo replaces Thiago Silva, ruled out after tests on Friday that confirmed a muscle injury to his right thigh,” Brazil said in a statement.
It is unclear how long Silva will be out of action, although his club side do not play again until a week on Saturday against Dijon, four days before a Champions League trip to Anderlecht.
Caio joined Brazil’s training session at their Barra Funda base in Sao Paulo on Friday afternoon, just hours after practising at the same venue with Sao Paulo’s squad. The centre-back has been capped four times for Brazil since making his international debut last year.
Brazil are already guaranteed of a berth at the World Cup in Russia next year and lead the CONMEBOL group standings with 38 points from 17 matches.
Reigning Copa America champions Chile must win the clash at Allianz Parque to be assured of a place in football’s premier tournament.
