Ronaldinho could miss the World Cup after being omitted from Brazil’s final warm-up friendly ahead of the summer tournament in South Africa. He will not face Ireland at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London on 2 March.
The AC Milan star, 29, has not played for Brazil since the start of 2009, but his improved recent form has encouraged supporters to call for his return. But coach Dunga has resisted pressure from the fans and local media in Brazil to recall the ex-Barcelona forward.
Brazilian roster for Ireland friendly after the jump…
The 1994 World Cup winning captain has kept faith with Michel Bastos (Lyon), Juan and Doni (both Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo) and Gilberto (Cruzeiro). Former Manchester City forward Robinho, who is now on-loan at Santos, has been included in the squad as has Liverpool midfielder Lucas. But there is no place for Manchester United midfielder Anderson.
Ronaldinho won the World Cup in 2002 and famously knocked out England at that tournament after lobbing keeper David Seaman with a second-half free-kick. Brazil legend Pele was another who called for Ronaldinho to return to the fold.
Ronaldinho has appeared 87 times for his country, scoring 32 times. He was also twice named World player of the year in 2004 and 2005 and has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or (european player of the year) once.
Brazil squad to face Ireland:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma).
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon), Juan (Roma), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Lucas (Liverpool), Kaka (Real Madrid), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo).
Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Adriano (Flamengo), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Seville).
He takes Adriano and not Ronaldinho?
He’s too dangerous to be left off this squad. Not a bad player to have come off the bench?
lol he takes lucas leiva and not ronaldinho..something else is going on here
Well apart from them being two completely different types of footballers! I do wonder what has gone on with Ronny and Dunga, I know he got chubby and looked uninterested a while back, but i think this season he’s been back to somewhere near his best……….and that beats most footballers best!