Brazil coach Mano Menezes recently revealed the players he intends to take to London to meet Ghana on the 5th September, and instantly the big news was that the legendary Ronaldinho is back in the Selecao squad.
Menezes is still searching for his best midfield, hence his decision to recall the former FIFA World Player of the Year, and questions abound about Santos midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, team-mate to in-demand striker Neymar, who is struggling to show his best.
Ronaldinho, with nine goals and six assists in the Brasilerao with Flamengo, has been widely hailed as the Brazilian league’s best player thus far. The former AC Milan man joined Flamengo at the start of the year and was desperate to force his way back into the Brazil squad – and he has succeeded.
The 2002 World Cup winner dreams of playing for Brazil on home soil during the 2014 World Cup and this recall may well be the first step on that road. After releasing his selections, Menezes confirmed that picking Ronaldinho is not an isolated event, nor a sop to the famous player.
Instead Menezes stated his belief that the Selecao need the schemer back in the ranks. Menezes also confirmed that Brazil would very much like to have the Flamengo man to earn a spot in the country’s 2014 squad.
Alongside Ronaldinho there are nine other players from Brazilian clubs that have been given the nod by Menezes; goalkepeers Fabio (Cruzeiro) and Jefferson (Botafogo), centre back Dede (Vasco da Gama), midfielders Lucas (Sao Paulo) and Ralf (Corinthians), striker Leandro Damiao (Internacional), and the Santos trio Neymar, Ganso and Danilo.
The cloud in the sky is that the Brasilerao will not stop and, though Brazil will play only once, there are two dates during the week the Selecao are due to play. Therefore, those called up will miss the 20th and 21st rounds of the Brasilerao; and even the 22nd round could be missed as it begins on 7th September.
And so, although Ronaldinho may be sporting a toothy grin right now, Brazilian fans may not like Menezes’ squad choices too much. Even more so considering that Brazil meet Argentina just two weeks later, when there will be no matches played in the Brasilerao and both coaches can only call up home-based players.
There is a genuine desire for a better Selecao though and with Ronaldinho back in the side, the eyes of the world will once again settle on Brazil. Perhaps this is what Menezes is counting upon to improve the country’s performances after a disappointing Copa America. Brazil must wait until 5th September to find out.
