AC MILAN PLAYMAKER Kaka has been left out of the Brazilian squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The 32 year-old was the most high-profile absentee from Luiz Felipe Scolari’s official list of twenty-three players though other familiar names, including Ronaldinho, Robinho and Lucas Moura have missed out too.
After an injury-plagued time with Real Madrid, Kaka returned to Milan at the start of the current campaign and has rediscovered his form, scoring nine goals in thirty-four appearances. His performances led many to wonder whether he might squeeze into Scolari’s chosen group.
Some established Premier League stars have also failed to make the cut with Manchester United full-back Rafael and Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva ignored.
Six English-based players are included with Chelsea heavily represented.
David Luiz, Ramires, Oscar and Willian all feature while Manchester City’s Fernandinho and Tottenham’s Paulinho have been selected.
Speaking at the announcement, Scolari said:
I reached conclusions, and I know some will not agree with me. But it’s my decision in the end. Whether you disagree on a few players won’t matter. I ask all Brazilians to support the squad no matter who the names are.”
The squad represents a mix of young, rapidly-developing talents and some older, experienced players. Though he didn’t go into detail as to the reasons for leaving out the likes of Kaka and Ronaldinho, Scolari did provide an insight into his selection policy by saying,
Developing these young players is easier than winning WC with players at end of their careers.”
876 journalists attended the press conference in Sao Paulo, where the Selecao will kick-off the tournament on 12th June with a Group A clash against Croatia.
Brazil’s World Cup squad is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atlético Mineiro)
DEFENDERS: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (PSG), Thiago Silva (PSG), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli)
MIDFIELDERS: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Paulinho (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Willian (Chelsea)
FORWARDS: Hulk (Zenit), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jô (Atlético Mineiro), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk)
