Marcelo to miss Copa America with acute sciatic pain

One of football's greatest afros will not be present at the Copa America, as Marcelo was ruled out of the competition Friday with a back injury.

Internacional left-back Geferson will replace Marcelo in Brazil's Copa America squad due to "medical problems," the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol announced in a statement.

Real Madrid then issued a medical report Saturday stating that Marcelo was found to have acute sciatic pain following tests carried out at the La Moraleja Sanitas Hospital.

Marcelo addressed the unfortunate news on Instagram, writing: "I had to say goodbye to the dream of defending the Brazilian national team in another competition."

Brazil will feature in Group C of the Copa America, which is rounded out by Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.