Ronaldinho and Adriano not selected for Brazil World Cup squad
One of the surprises in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, would be the omission of Ronaldinho from the list of 23 members that would participate in the tournament. It is definitely a contentious issue and if Brazil does not make it to the finals and the blame will lie squarely on Dunga’s feet.
Dunga, the national coach of the Brazilian football team, took the brave decision of omitting Ronaldinho and Adriano from the provisional squad. The reasons cited by the head coach for the omission is the inability of the two players to impress with creditable performances at this high level.
He reiterated that his decision for the omission was more of a rational one, than the one that follows emotions. He will have to face questions if the decision backfires and Brazil was made to wait for another 4 years to claim the cup for the sixth time.
What is so special about Ronaldinho?
Ronaldinho, born on 21st March 1980, has the unique distinction of being one of the few players in football world to have represented the national team in the international stage at every age level. He was a member of under-17 national team that won the first FIFA U-17 World Championship in the year 1997. He was also a member of the national team that took part in the FIFA World Youth Championship in the year 1999. He was a regular member of the national team in the Confederation Cup and also participated in the World Cup in 2002 and 2006 editions.
In all, he has played for the national team in 87 matches and scored 32 goals. The charismatic player, better known for this ball-control skills and runs down the left, has won many coveted awards. He was chosen the European Footballer of the Year in the year 2005, and also in the same year, honored with the FIFA World Footballer of the Year award for the second time.
Ronaldinho also has the honor of being selected to be a member of the UEFA Team of the Year for more than three years, and took the world by surprise with his skills, the ball-control, the overhead bicycle kicks and solo runs down the left.
The left winger and attacking midfielder, in his early 30s, has much more to offer for football and to the national team in particular. It is these interesting aspects and a creditable performance in the recent season with AC Milan that makes Ronaldinho a serious contender for a place in the national team. However, Dunga has other ideas and the list of 23 probables does not include Ronaldinho’s name.
The Brazil team, deprived of the services of famous players such as Ronaldo and Rivaldo, looks intimidating enough with the likes of Robinho, Nilmar, Luis Fabiano and Grafite in the forward line and midfielders Kaka, Elano, Ramires, Kleberson and Julio Baptista.
The defense of the team is vested in the responsible shoulders of Thiago Silva, Lucio, Juan, Gilberto Silva and Gilberto.
Goalkeepers Heurelho Gomes, Julio Cesar and Doni are more than capable of guarding the goal and will definitely be tough nuts to crack for the opposition.
On paper, the Brazilian Team looks solid, even without the presence of Ronaldino and Adriano and are one of the favorites of the bookmakers to lay hands on the title for the sixth time.
If Brazil fails to make it to glory, then Dunga will have to answer a series of questions involving the surprise omission of Ronaldinho from the first team.
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