2010 World Cup
Ronaldinho exclusion 'sad'
2010-05-13 08:03
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Johannesburg - South African Soccer World Cup head organiser Danny Jordaan has slammed Brazil coach Dunga's decision to exclude AC Milan star Ronaldinho from his World Cup squad.
Ronaldinho has improved this season with AC Milan after a difficult spell during his transition from Barcelona to the Italian club, but the Brazil coach decided against using the playmaker.
Jordaan labelled Ronaldinho as a "soccer genius with talent that has been "enjoyed by few in the game, both past and present".
Jordaan accused coaches of being "blinded" by their power and said that it was "sad and unfortunate" that the midfielder would not feature at the event.
Brazil, five-time World Cup winners, have been drawn in Group G alongside Ivory Coast, Portugal and North Korea.
Brazil Soccer World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter/ITA), Doni (Roma/ITA), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham/ENG)
Defenders: Luisao (Benfica/POR), Lucio (Inter/ITA), Juan (Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Maicon (Inter/ITA), Michel Bastos (Lyon/FRA), Gilberto (Cruzeiro)
Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Elano (Galatasaray/TUR), Kaka (Real Madrid/ESP), Ramires (Benfica/POR), Felipe Melo (Juventus/ITA), Julio Baptista (Roma/ITA), Kleberson (Flamengo)
Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Nilmar (Villarreal/ESP), Grafite (Wolfsburg/GER), Robinho (Santos)
Reserves:
Ronaldinho (AC Milan/ITA), Alex (Chelsea/ENG), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim/GER), Sandro (Internacional Porto Alegre), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro), Paulo Ganso (Santos)