The first called!
Scotland v Brazil: Ronaldinho and Robinho won't face Scots
Published Date: 04 March 2011
By TALES AZZONI
Ronaldinho and Robinho have been omitted from Brazil's squad for the friendly against Scotland in London this month.
They were not included in the list of 24 players named by coach Mano Menezes yesterday for the match on 27 March at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
Defender Lucio, right-back Maicon and midfielder Elano were back for the first time since the World Cup, and striker Neymar was also called up after missing the previous friendly against France.
Midfielder Lucas, one of the team's stars along with Neymar at the South American Under-20 tournament this year, was included. Ronaldinho was left out by Menezes despite good performances with Brazilian club Flamengo after moving back to his homeland from AC Milan at the beginning of the year. He scored the winner as Flamengo clinched the Guanabara Cup last week in Rio.
Ronaldinho played in Brazil's 1-0 defeat to Argentina in a friendly last year, but was left out of the team's 1-0 loss to France last month.
"Ronaldinho has been making progress with Flamengo and if he continues doing that he will naturally be a part of the national team again," Menezes said, adding that Robinho will also likely be back in coming matches.
Lucio, Maicon and Elano are included for the first time since Brazil were eliminated by the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final in South Africa.
"It was expected for them to return," Menezes said. "They are back because of how they have been playing and because of their history with the national team."
Two other newcomers beside Sao Paulo's Lucas were Cruzeiro midfielder Henrique and Valencia striker Jonas.
Neymar missed the match against France because he was with the under-20 squad.
Menezes still can't count on playmakers Kaka and Paulo Henrique Ganso, who have just recovered from injuries.
Brazil will host a friendly against the Netherlands on 4 June in preparation for the defence of their title at the Copa America in Argentina - a tournament Menezes said was the team's priority - before playing Romania on 7 June in Sao Paulo in what will be a farewell match for recently retired striker Ronaldo.
The Brazilians are expected to undergo a five-day training camp at Spain's La Manga resort before the friendly against Scotland.
Goalkeepers
Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Vitor (Gremio), Jefferson (Botafogo)
Defenders
Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter Milan), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Lucio (Inter Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Luisao (Benfica)
Midfielders
Lucas (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Renato Augusto (Bayern Leverkusen), Jadson (Shakhtar), Elano (Santos)
Forwards
Jonas (Valencia), Alexandre Pato (Milan), Nilmar (Villarreal), Neymar (Santos)
