Kaka leaves hospital after knee surgery

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Kaka left the hospital Saturday after knee surgery and the FIFA player of the year hopes to play for Brazil next month in two World Cup qualifiers. He is certain to miss two upcoming games in the United States.

"I'm going to get ready. The doctor said I have a chance" to play, AC Milan midfielder said on television as he left Pasteur Hospital.

Dr. Jose Luiz Runco, head physician of the Brazilian national team, performed the arthroscopic surgery Friday. He termed the operation a success but declined to set a timetable for the 26-year-old player's return.

Kaka almost surely will miss exhibitions against Canada in Seattle on May 31 and Venezuela in Boston on June 6. His goal is to return for qualifiers against Paraguay on June 15 and Argentina on June 18. Brazil trails the two in the race to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/24/sports/SOC-Kaka-Surgery.php

Dunga calls defender Thiago Silva for World Cup qualifiers

The Brazilian national men's football team's head coach Dunga called on Friday defender Thiago Silva, of Rio-headquartered club Fluminense, to join the roster that will play the qualifying games for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 15, in Paraguay, and on June 18, in Argentina.

Dunga also called defender Henrique, of Brazilian club Palmeiras, for the two friendly matches to be held in the United States on May 31, against Canada, and on June 6, against Venezuela.

Both players will replace Alex Costa, of UK's Chelsea, who was removed from the list due to an injury.

The coaching committee had to draft two athletes to replace one because, on the dates of the friendlies, Silva will be playing the semifinals of the Libertadores Cup with Fluminense, against Argentina's Boca Juniors.

Silva's case is similar to the ones of Sao Paulo's forward Adriano and of Santos' wingback Kleber, who were included on the roster for the World Cup qualifiers last week. However, Sao Paulo and Santos got eliminated from Libertadores Cup this week.

Dunga is still expected to announce another player for the team, as Milan's star Kaka, who underwent an surgery on his left knee on Friday, will not be able to participate in the friendlies.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/24/content_8241398.htm

Kaka has knee surgery, will miss Brazil's exhibition tour

Kaka had arthroscopic knee surgery Friday and will miss Brazil's exhibition tour to the United States.

The surgery lasted 50 minutes and was performed by Dr. Jose Luiz Runco, the head physician of the Brazilian national soccer team, Eliane Belleza of the Pasteur Hospital said. Kaka, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, is expected to leave the hospital Friday.

The 26-year-old, who stars for AC Milan in the Italian League, will miss matches against Canada at Seattle on May 31 and Venezuela at Foxborough, Mass., on June 6. Kaka hopes to return for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay on June 15 and Argentina on June 18.

"Dr. Runco didn't set any timeframe," Belleza said. "It varies from player to player. We have to wait and see."

In addition, injured defender Alex was replaced on Brazil's roster by Henrique for the exhibition games and by Thiago Silva for the World Cup qualifiers.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-05-23-kaka-surgery_N.htm

Galliani: No Olympics For Kaka

Milan general manager Adriano Galliani has made an official declaration, confirming that Kaka will not be allowed to represent Brazil at this summer’s Olympics, however Alexandre Pato will be permitted.

All teams participating in the Olympic games in Beijing are allowed to select three players over the age of 23, and there have been strong calls for Kaka to be chosen for Brazil.

Milan have now made it perfectly clear that they will refuse to allow the European and World Footballer of the Year to be selected.

A statement from Adriano Galliani on ACMilan.com reads: "Ahead of the Chinese Olympic games, Milan confirms that they will allow the under 23 players like Alexandre Pato and Rodrigo Digao, who are currently in the pre-list of the called-up players, to take part.

“However, Milan will not allow this permission to an over-23 player like Kaka for the simple reason that the Brazilian champion is already part of the Brazilian national team.

“The Rossoneri's club does not believe that it is fair that Kaka is included in the official games of the Brazilian Olympic national team."

Kaka has stated in the past that he would like to play in the Olympics.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=702520

Pato Reflects On Debut Season

Milan striker Alexandre Pato has reflected upon his debut season for the Rossoneri.

The young Brazilian striking sensation has been a revelation at San Siro. Scoring on his debut against Napoli, he has gone on to score eight goals in 16 appearances for the club and he has analysed his first few months as a Milanista.

“I am growing up in Italian football after months of just training and watching the game from the stands,” Pato Italia Uno.

“Now I think about things differently compared to September, I saw a really difficult and competitive league but now I know that I can play well in it.

“The defenders are very intelligent in Serie A and I have to learn how they play in order to do well against them.

“I am always happy and ready to play, I just have to be patient.

“As for Pippo Inzghi, he’s a great player and he is in great form at the moment. He has to take Milan to the Champions League.

“Ronaldo? He’s always my idol, he is a good man and he has to return for us.”

Milan are on course for the Champions League this season but they need to ensure victory against Napoli and hope that Fiorentina slip up against Parma.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=688449

Brazil soccer confederation acknowledges Kaka unlikely for Beijing Olympics

The Brazilian soccer confederation admits Brazil may not be able to rely on Kaka to be advailable for the Beijing Olympics.

"It's going to be very difficult," CBF president Ricardo Teixeira told TV Bandeirantes late Sunday. "We are not in a position to demand his release."

The AC Milan player has been saying he wants to help Brazil try to win its first Olympic gold in soccer, but he would need to be released by his Italian club.

Depending on Milan's finish in the Italian league, it may need to play in next year's European Champions League qualifying round, which has conflicting dates with the Olympics. Milan is currently fourth in the standings, and the top four will qualify.

Even if released by Milan, the 26-year-old Kaka must be summoned by Brazil coach Dunga as one of three players over 23 years old allowed to supplement each squad.

He was young enough to play in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, but Brazil failed to qualify. Kaka was not released by Milan to play South America's qualifying event for the 2004 Olympics.

He will be 30 years old for the 2012 London Olympics.

http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=12592227

Brazil schedules two matches in U.S.

Five-time World Cup champion Brazil will play exhibitions in the United States against Canada and Venezuela in the next six weeks.

Brazil, ranked second in the world by FIFA behind Argentina, will play Canada on May 31 in Seattle and Venezuela on June 6 in Foxborough, Mass.

The Brazil-Venezuela match will be part of a doubleheader at Gillette Stadium. The New England Revolution will host FC Dallas in Major League Soccer match in the other game.

Brazil resumes South American qualifying for the 2010 World Cup on June 14. The Brazilians are third after the first four games of qualifying in CONMEBOL.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-bra/news/news.aspx?id=4147691