DOUBLE UPDATE - Barcelona has reportedly denied Ronaldinho his chance to represent Brazil at the 20008 Beijing Olympics.
I’m just starting to wonder if Dunga had spoken to any of the clubs about pre-season, qualifiers or possible transfers that he’s pulling players from.
UPDATE - Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 have denied both Diego and Rafinha their Olympic Team release, much to the dismay of Brazil Head Coach Dunga.
While the Bundesliga sides do not have to allow the release of their players (much like Bayern Munich’s refusal to release Martin Demichelis, Lucio and Mark van Bommel to represent their countries in Beijing), many thought that both players would be allowed to go.
“It’s clear that if we don’t release Diego, we won’t face any sanctions” Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs said.
No word who will be Dunga’s replacements, but this is pretty weak in my opinion. I know that players are always at risk for injury when they’re away with their National Teams and the clubs pay their salaries, but to take away the opportunity to play for their countries at the Olympics is an incredible opportunity, much the same way it was for each player that played in the 2008 European Championships.
The only difference is that the Euro’s were FIFA sanctioned and the Olympics (I know, I know, it’s only a glorified Under 23 tournament) isn’t. I wonder though if Germany could qualify for the Olympics if their perspective would change quickly?
Brazil head coach Dunga has named his three over 23 years of age players for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and there is one very surprising inclusion.
Playmaker Ronaldinho, along with Real Madrid’s Robinho and Fluminese defender Thiago Silva round out the Beijing roster as the old guys on a team that boasts the likes of Werder Bremen’s Diego, AC Milan’s Pato, Man City’s new signing Jo and Real Madrid’s Marcelo.
Brazil will be in Group C at the Olympics, along with Belgium, China and New Zealand.
Dunga’s full roster is as follows,
Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional).
Defenders: Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Shalke), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Fluminense).
Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Lucas (Liverpool), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Thiago Neves (Fluminense).
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Jo (Manchester City), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Robinho (Real Madrid)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving most of this squad. With a Robinho / Pato pairing up top together and Diego combining with Ronaldinho underneath, there’s no doubt Dunga’s Brazil will be an unbelievably talented attacking team. I’m just hoping Ronaldinho is over all of his injury problems that overtook his 2007/08 campaign.
image via CNN
