Jefferson: I wasn’t expecting Brazil axe

Brazil goalkeeper Jefferson says he was surprised by coach Dunga’s decision to drop him from the side.

The Botafogo goalkeeper started in every game for which he was eligible during Dunga’s first 12 months back in charge of the Selecao, missing only the Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour clashes with Turkey and Austria last year as the squad was restricted to foreign-based players.

He remained between the posts for this year’s Copa America campaign but was dropped for September’s two friendly matches and missed Brazil’s last three qualifiers after playing their opener against Chile last month.

"I am not saying I was wronged, that is perhaps too strong a word, but did not expect it given my numbers in the national team,” Jefferson, who conceded just twice in his first eight matches for the Selecao, told Sportv. 

“Goalkeeping is a position that required the trust of the coach.

"I never used the press to accuse anyone of anything or defend myself, I just concentrated on performing on the pitch, and I think I have always shown my potential. 

“I think I could have gotten a little more credit. My departure was perhaps not only due my performance in the game against Chile, so I was particularly sad. No player would want leave the team the way I left.”

Jefferson was criticised in some quarters for failing to keep out Eduardo Vargas’ opener for Chile in the 2-0 defeat in Santiago, after getting a hand to his close-range volley but failing to keep it out.