SANTIAGO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal has been recalled to Chile's squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Venezuela, the Chilean Football Federation said on Monday.
The 37-year-old replaces Williams Alarcon, who withdrew from the squad after suffering an adductor injury while playing for Argentinian side Huracan.
Vidal, who has made 142 international appearances, has not played for the Roja since September last year and has been a vocal critic of Chile manager Ricardo Gareca amid the team's poor recent run of results.
The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Inter Milan star currently plays for Colo-Colo and helped the Santiago-based side secure this year's Chilean top-flight title.
Chile will meet Peru in Lima on Friday and Venezuela in Santiago four days later.
Gareca's side is currently last in the South American qualifying group with five points from 10 games. Peru is ninth and Venezuela eighth in the 10-team standings. ■
