Kaka didn't want to play Copa America, said Menezes

     RIO DE JANEIRO, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Brazil coach Mano Menezes said on Tuesday that Kaka wanted to be left out of the Copa America squad¹ in order to have more time to regain² his form following knee surgery.

    Kaka underwent left knee surgery earlier this year and Menezes said the Brazilian star would rather rest and focus on properly preparing himself for next season with Real Madrid so he can try to play at a high level again.

    According to Menezes, Real Madrid defender³ Marcelo was also left out because he recently asked to be released from the squad citing an injury he had not actually sustained.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

2 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

3 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。