Soccer
Brazil recall Ronaldinho
2010-10-29 17:51
Rio De Janeiro - Ronaldinho has been recalled by Brazil for the first time in 18 months for their friendly against Argentina in Qatar next month.
The gifted AC Milan forward, who helped Brazil win the World Cup in 2002, was overlooked by former coach Dunga for this year's finals in South Africa.
Coach Mano Menezes also recalled Santos teenager Neymar, whom he dropped for friendlies earlier in October for disciplinary reasons, in a 23-man squad.
Ronaldinho has a thigh injury and is set to miss Milan's home game with Juventus on Saturday but he should return for Wednesday's Champions League game against Real Madrid.
He has lost most of the pace he had at Barcelona and struggles to beat defenders with his old trademark shimmy but he can still pick out a world-class pass.
Brazil, hosts of the next World Cup in 2014, meet arch-rivals Argentina in Doha on Nov. 17.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Victor (Gremio), Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Atletico-Paranaense)
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Rafael (Manchester United), Adriano Correia (Barcelona), Alex Costa (Chelsea), David Luiz (Benfica), Rever (Atletico-Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)
Midfielders: Elias, Jucilei (both Corinthians), Douglas (Gremio), Lucas (Liverpool), Philippe Coutinho (Inter Milan), Ronaldinho (AC Milan), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato, Robinho (both AC Milan), Neymar (Santos), Andre (Dynamo Kiev)