New Delhi: The Brazilian football team coach Dunga has included Kaka and Ronaldinho in the squad for his team's friendlies against England and Turkey.
Even though the duo had asked not to be picked for the Copa America, Dunga said that he wanted the pair at the tournament in Venezuela in June and July but respected their decision to ask for a rest.
World Cup veterans Kaka of AC Milan and Ronaldinho, who plays for Barcelona, had sent letters to the Brazilian Football Confederation last week saying they were tired and wanted to skip the Copa.
Despite this, Dunga named them in a 22-man squad for the European tour.
Ronaldinho has also been the FIFA world player of the year twice.
Brazil were a favourite to win a record sixth title in the 2006 WOrld Cup but lost 1-0 to France in the quarter-finals and Dunga hoped that a good showing by the national team would help erase the humiliation.
"The national team means a lot to our country," Dunga said at a news conference on Thursday at Rio De Janerio. "What happened in the last World Cup, no one wanted it. It's an open wound among our people. But when someone doesn't want to go, there's no point forcing him."
Brazil take on England in London on June 1, and then face Turkey in Dortmund four days later.
The five-time world champions then play in the Copa America, which starts on June 26 in Venezuela.
Some of the key Brazilian players are not fully fit with Bayern Munich defender Lucio undergoing surgery for a hernia and will be out for weeks. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is also not a certainty for Copa while Lyon striker Fred also is injured.
Dunga has also a couple of players - Jo (CSKA Moscow) and Afonso (SC Herenveen) - who are not known names in Brazil.
"Jo is young enough for the under-20 national team. We're bringing up players young enough for the Olympic squad," Dunga said.
The Olympic gold medal is the one major football award Brazil have never won.
Team:
Goalkeepers: Helton (FC Porto), Doni (AS Roma). Defenders: Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Alex (PSV Eindhoven), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Naldo (Werder Bremen), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Sevilla). Midfielders: Josue (Sao Paulo), Kaka (AC Milan), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Diego (Werder Bremen), Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk), Edmilson (Barcelona), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin). Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow), Jo (CSKA Moscow), Afonso (SC Herenveen).
Comments
0 comment