Soccer-Brazil coach omits defender Renan Lodi as not fully vaccinated

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Copa America 2021 - Final - Brazil v Argentina - Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - July 10, 2021 Argentina's Lionel Messi in action with Brazil's Renan Lodi REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo

(Reuters) - Brazil coach Tite has left out Renan Lodi for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay because the Atletico Madrid full back has not had a full course of COVID-19 vaccines.

“Renan Lodi was excluded from the possibility of being called up due to his non-vaccination,” Tite, who recalled Dani Alves and Philippe Coutinho, told reporters on Thursday. "He missed the chance to compete (for a place)."