Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari reveals the squad for Confed Cup yesterday. (EPA)
AFP/Rio de Janeiro
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari sprang a surprise yesterday by leaving experienced duo Ronaldinho and Kaka out of his squad for next month’s Confederations Cup.
Just a month before the five-time world champions kick off the tournament on home soil against Japan, 2002 World Cup winner Scolari, called back last November for a second spell in charge of the auriverde, also left out Chelsea midfielder Ramires, preferring Bayern Munich’s Luiz Gustavo.
Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho had made a return to the squad for the friendly against England in London three months ago but the 32-year-old, now with Atletico Mineiro, was then discarded for March friendlies against Italy and Russia.
Instead, “Felipao” brought in Ronaldino’s clubmate Bernard, just 20, as Brazil’s new “dez” or number 10.
In attack, Scolari has selected two traditional number nines in Fluminense’s Fred and Leandro Damiao of Internacional, who will feed off prodigy Neymar with Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk the other attacking option. Brazil, who include goalkeeper Julio Cesar, just relegated from the English Premier League with Queens Park Rangers, will face Japan, Mexico and Italy in their pool games with world champions Spain heading up the other group.
Brazil squad: Goalkeepers : Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense), Jefferson (Botafogo)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (FC Barcelona/ESP), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Jean (Fluminense), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Dante (Bayern Munich/GER), Rever (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Paulinho (Corinthians), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich/GER), Fernando (Gremio), Hernanes (Lazio/ITA), Jadson (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Lucas (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Bernard (Atletico Mineiro)
Strikers: Neymar (Santos), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg/RUS), Leandro Damiao (Internacional)
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