Brazilian national soccer team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari named on Tuesday (May 14) the team that will compete in June’s Confederations Cup, leaving former two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho off the squad’s list.
Despite some recent solid performances with his current club Atlético Mineiro, many soccer experts agree that 33-year-old Ronaldinho has not play exceptionally well in recent national team matches.
Real Madrid midfielder Kaka was also excluded from the list of 23 players competing in the upcoming tournament, which is considered a warm-up for next year’s World Cup.
Scolari had been expected to include at least one of the experienced pair in his squad for the tournament Brazil hosts in June.
Chelsea midfielder Ramires was surprise exclusion.
Perhaps the only surprise addition to the squad was Atlético Mineiro mid-fielder Bernard.
The Confederations Cup begins June 15 with a match between Brazil and Japan. Competing teams will play in six different Brazilian cities.
The tournament is not only a test for the team, but also the country, as it continues to prepare for its hosting of the 2014 World Cup.
June’s tournament will be the first Scolari has coached since returning to the role of Brazil’s national team coach.
Scolari mapped out a loose plan for journalists.
“Independent of the training days we have, there are two or three days we have to play well. We have already had the opportunity to play in five friendlies and we already have, more or less, an organized group,” Scolari said.
Before the tournament, Brazil will have two more chances to get its legs with two high-profile friendlies, one against England on June 2, in Maracana Stadium, and the second against France in the Arena Gremio in Porto Alegre, a week later.
Scolari, a world champion in 2002, has coached in five matches since taking over again, with one win, three draws and one defeat.