Thiago Silva has admitted that he was surprised to be dropped from the Brazil team by head coach Dunga following the nation's disastrous World Cup campaign in their homeland this summer.

The 30-year-old was stripped of the captain's armband, which was later handed to Neymar, and has not featured for Brazil since the tournament.

"Sincerely, I didn't expect this," FourFourTwo quotes Silva as saying. "But I think we must be prepared for everything, somehow, even if I thought I was going to come and play. I have to be ready to be on the bench also.

"We have quality players, like David Luiz and Miranda, so I knew that it was going to be hard, but I didn't expect to be dropped. But it's part of football and I'm ready to fight for my place back."

Dunga was appointed Brazil coach for a second spell in July following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari.