Exhibitionist Ronaldinho omitted from Brazil World Cup Squad

[Abtigiis]

As expected, there is no place for Ronaldinho in Dunga's team which is tipped to land a six trophy for the Selecao in WC 2010 in South Africa. Ronaldinho was given numerous opportunities to prove his worth for Brzail in the last couple of years, but underperformed. Brazil were in trouble during the qualifications when Kaka was out on injury and Ronaldinho was playing in his place.

 

But it is not history that is against Ronaldinho for it is normal for players to lose form from time to time. His current form in the ageing Milan side is not bad. However, what Dunga wants has always been players who could win back the ball when they lose it. Ronaldinho is suspect in this area and his expensive soft touches often kill the rhythm of counter-attacking passes and also put brazil defenders in a compromising position. He is good for beach-ball, not for the World Cup.

 

Another notable omission is the pedestrian Adriano. Dunga preferred Grafite and I think this is a very good decision. Paulo Henrique (Ganso) and Neymar of Santos are not included as well, and Dunga justified their omission by saying "where were they in 2009?" and that he cannot take risks with untested players.

 

This will be the team that will bring the hexa home this summer:

 

Goalies:

Julio Cesar

Gomes

Doni

 

Defense:

Maicon

Dani Alves

Lucio

Juan

Luisao

Thiago Silva

Michel Bastos

Gilberto

 

Midfield:

Kaka,

Gilberto Silva

Felipe Melo

Elano

Ramires

Kleberson

Julio Baptista

Josue

 

Forward:

Luis Fabiano

Robinho

Nilmar

Grafite

 

 

Look at the list of missing players and tell me if the likes of Mattew Upson and Rio Ferdinand would have competed with them:

 

Diego Tardelli (Atlético-MG)

Ganso (Santos)

Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim-ALE)

Marcelo (Real Madrid-ESP)

Alex (Chelsea-ING)

Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Milan-ITA)

Sandro (Internacional)

Cris (Lyon)

Hulk (Porto)

Fabio Aurelio (liverpool)

Lucas (Liverpool)

Rafael (Man U)

Neymar (Santos)

Thiago Motta (Inter Milan)

 

 

Historically, it is well known that Brazillian stars play better for their national team but struggle to perform for their clubs. The like of Socrates, Falcao, Zico underperformed for their teams in the past. When asked why Dunga selected Julio Baptista who is a reserve in Roma, this is what he said: " Julio is on the bench only because there is a player called Totti who is the king of Rome.".

 

I know some in this forum will say why leave Ronaldinho out? I say why not bring back Rivaldo from Uzbekistan in that case. I know some will say why take so and so and leave out the young talent of Neymar and Ganso. But whose judgement do you trust? That of World-Cup winning Captain and his assistant (Jorginho) who was the best full-back of all-time, or Tuujiye ( of FC ciyaal-foocali) and Bob of Atletic Club Warshadda Hilibka in Jubadda hoose?

[MZanzi]

I think Dunga is ****** person if he dosen't take Ronaldinho to South Africa.There is no way on earth that Robinho who did nothing in Spain nor England should be going,not to mention Batista can't even get a play for a mediocre Roma and Ela noooooo ! enough said.No team would be remotely interested in man marking or double teaming any of them because they don't command that type of respect.I'll put all three together and still not better than RONALDINHO.I hope it is not foolish pride but DUNG A needs to get over himself real quick.

[Abtigiis]

Horta baggaa ilaahay ku soo nabadceliyey, nin aan jeclahay baad tahay'e.

 

Laakin, your footie knowledge is suspect and I hold BOB personally responsible for this. Neeftiisaa kugu baxday. Ronaldinho way ka dhamaatay adeer, and this Brazil side with no big stars will do wonders. Mark my words. It is about being a star team, not about a team of stars. Look at the Ivory coast for the latter.

[Tuujiye]

But it is not history that is against Ronaldinho for it is normal for players to lose form from time to time. His current form in the ageing Milan side is not bad. However, what Dunga wants has always been players who could win back the ball when they lose it. Ronaldinho is suspect in this area and his expensive soft touches often kill the rhythm of counter-attacking passes and also put brazil defenders in a compromising position. He is good for beach-ball, not for the World Cup.

A&T next time write your own words saaxiib..don't just add insult at the end!...

This is Old news old man! I knew Ronaldinho wasn't in the line up..Dunga said it before he posted the list of players... Ronaldinho knew the results already... Roni has nothing to proof saaxiib because if you played football and not just read about it, you would understand what kind of a player he is saaxiib.. player like Roni comes once in life time A&T and is all good if he not in the world cup..he won the world cup already...

 

This is Dunga's one and only world cup as a coach..he was told to step down after the world cup. Brazilians don't care about results as much as they care about playing the beautiful game...How do you take Elano over Roni? lool give me a break..do you even watch Elano? he never comes back to help...lol.. same with Grafiti...I'm glad laakiin because my African boys have a chance against Brazil...

 

 

Wareer Badanaa!!!

[Abtigiis]

Those are my words, but if you read them elsewhere it means lots of people agree on the limitations of Ronaldinho. And I don't pretend my analysis is original, lots of commentators have been saying it.

 

But, on Brazillian wanting a team that plays well but loses, I am not sure. The 94 and '02 teams are respectd and loved more than the artful team of 1982. By the way Dunga calls that team of Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Cerezo "specialists in losing". If you go to Brazil team world cup blog, most comments are that if Dunga wins the World Cup, his selection will not an issue. That tells you Brazillian's no more prioritise joga-bonito over cups. They want to win and their game plan must evolve. That is what Dunga has done.

[Abtigiis]

by the way, for Tuujiye's benefit, Zenetti, Cambiasso, and Gabriel Milito have no places in the Argentina squad. Samuel is there, but we don't know he will be in the last 23 list (or he will be a substitue for DeMicheals if he goes).

 

Lool coloccini, Jonas Gutterrez, Maxi Rodriguez, Heinze, Veron etc etc. What a poor back line and midfield.

 

What is fearsome is the attack, but Argentina will woe the fact that their team is not balanced. too many good strikers, but elsewhere there is scarcity of talent. What we don't know is how the local players who are selected from Argentina league will do. If they turn out to be good ones. maybe Agentina will have a chance.

 

Argentina squad:

 

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

 

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

 

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

 

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

 

 

I reckon Argentina's starting 11 will be:

 

Romero (GK)

 

DeMicheals

Otomandi

Heinze

Burdisso

 

Mashcerano

Veron

Jonas Gutteruz

Angel De Maria

 

Higuain

Messi

 

Lool of all that talent upfront, he will take only four. And I think they should be Tevez, Messi, Milito, and Higuain.

 

But it is hard for Maradona to drop Palermo (who he promised to take him to the WC after the Peru game - Maradona waa fooxle, wuu ka faashadaa ninkan) and Wiilka uu sodoga u yahay ee Aguero. Inay gabadhu isku marto ooy tidhaa lama reebayo ayaan ka yaabi!

[Oz]

The sheer talent at their disposal will without doubt give Argentina a chance but the problem is Maradona. He has left Zanetti,Cambiasso, banega and Riquelme (to me is still one of the world's premier players and it is a crying shame his talent will not be at the World Cup). Is he on crack again? The most consistent player in the world and my personal favorite player Zanetti has not been included.I hope Argentina fail, how can he not include banega either, he has been a revelation this season. one of the best central midfielders in Spain. (better then Veron who can only last 60 minutes these days).

 

I thought, if Maradona could get Zanetti and Samuel into the squad and find a good formation to suit the players then there is no doubt they are one of the favorites but at the moment I wouldn't trust Maradona.

 

 

I was going to favour the Argies to win the tournament and this was my favoured line up.

 

 

Romereo

 

Zanetti Samual Demichelis Ansladi

 

Cambiasso Macherano

 

Lucho Gonzalez

 

Messi Milito Tevez

 

EDIT:

But it is hard for Maradona to drop Palermo (who he promised to take him to the WC after the Peru game

To be fair he has been quality last 4/5 years and offers something different upfront . he has also scored some very important goals for the argies.

[Abtigiis]

OZ, why do we sometimes tend to believe in myths. Both Zanetti and Riquelme were in Argentina squad long enough to win something, and they didn't. And I will argue with top class players on their side all along. The same goes for those who dramatise the impact of Ronaldinho. Was he not there in 2006? Zenetti is protected in Inter by a veru good midfield who allows little to pass to the defence. If exposed to fast strikers, he lacks the pace.

[N.O.R.F]

Argie attacking options (prelim):

 

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

 

Samba attacking options (confirmed going):

 

Luis Fabiano

Robinho

Nilmar

Grafite

 

[NGONGE]

Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tusbax:

OZ, why do we sometimes tend to believe in myths. Both Zanetti and Riquelme were in Argentina squad long enough to win something, and they didn't. And I will argue with top class players on their side all along. The same goes for those who dramatise the impact of Ronaldinho. Was he not there in 2006? Zenetti is protected in Inter by a veru good midfield who allows little to pass to the defence. If exposed to fast strikers, he lacks the pace.

You were doing so well too.

 

Maradonna did not pick these players for personal reasons, saaxib. He never got on with Zanetti or the others. He used to criticse them even before he became manager.

 

As for Brazil, Dunga was always the plodding water carrier and he was bound to pick a team in his own image (no Lucas? The cheek!).

 

But the craziest of the lot is the French manager. No Benzema or Nasri in his squad.

[Oz]

Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tusbax:

OZ, why do we sometimes tend to believe in myths. Both Zanetti and Riquelme were in Argentina squad long enough to win something, and they didn't. And I will argue with top class players on their side all along. The same goes for those who dramatise the impact of Ronaldinho. Was he not there in 2006? Zenetti is protected in Inter by a veru good midfield who allows little to pass to the defence. If exposed to fast strikers, he lacks the pace.

I agree with Ronaldinho, he hardly helps the team with the runnings but Maradona wont win any respect from me for not picking Zanetti, the guy is still the most consistent player at Inter, still has decent pace, still is versatile and he is not called up, please and Cambiasso who has been better than Mascherano this season doesn't get a call up either.

 

No Christian Ansladi either, been good for Rubin Kazan this season, but we will still ignore the fella. I have heard from somewhere that he is going to play Jonas at full back if true they can kiss goodbye to any chance of winning the World Cup.

[Abtigiis]

Brazil will benefit because few teams have strong strikers in this world cup. The team that has the best defense will win this world cup and I think we all agree on the strength of Brazil defence. I agree with Ngonge that Lucas and Denilson of Arsenal should have been included.

 

Norf,

 

While on paper Agrentina has a better attacking names, what they will do will depend on what the rest of the team members do. I think you are missing the fact that only two of the strikers will appear in the line-up any one time and also the fact that these players played Brazil more than three times in the last couple of years and have been beaten on each occassion.

 

Norf judges how good players are by looking at how big the clubs they play for are. That makes sense. But in the World Cup South Korea and Mexico are tough teams which the likes of England and France will fear. Yet, how many players do they have in big clubs?

 

War, I can't wait for this world cup. It will be a learning experience for Norf and Co.

 

Ngonge

 

Maradona and the whole of Argentina were criticising Zanetti and their team because they were not delivering.

[NGONGE]

^^ Latest news: John Terry is out of the world cup. Did his metatarsal.

 

Bring on King. I always said he was a great player.

[Abtigiis]

This is a very bad news for me if Terry is out. I wanted him to play, and caught for pace. But it is even better if King is his replacement. Iska-soo-mar defence iga dheh!

[NGONGE]

^^ They'll all get caught for pace, saaxib. But I'm sure Capello had thought of that and devised a plan.