The former PSG man has been frozen out of the national team since Tite took over from Dunga as manager last summer, but remains hopeful of return despite having never received a reason for his exclusion.

He told the Evening Standard: "I am disappointed to not be in the Brazil squad, but I respect the decision.

"I'm playing regularly and trying to do my best to come back [into the squad].

Asked if he has been told why he's been excluded, he added: "No."

David Luiz has battled through a knee injury after receiving a high challenge from Manchester City's Sergio Aguero in December.

And the Chelsea stalwart has vowed to use the international break as a time for recovery.

"The international break gives me a good chance to rest my knee," he said. "It is a very good thing for me.

"Only I feel the pain so nobody knows [how hard it has been to cope with].

"I won't need an operation in the summer. But it is very good for me to rest, not just the knee, but the body as well.

"But we have amazing medical staff and they have been great with me. Every single match... they are there for every player. They have helped me a lot."