Soccerworld Brazil

Brazil wins U20 soccer title

2011-08-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

Oscar scored a hat trick to lead Brazil to a 3-2 win over Portugal in extra time on Saturday to win the Under-20 World Cup.

Oscar got the winner in the 111th minute, lobbing a shot from the right that was tipped by Portugal keeper Mika onto the underside of the crossbar before going in. He also scored in the 5th minute, and again in the 78th.

Alex levelled in the 9th minute for Portugal and Nelson Oliveira's 59th minute goal put the Europeans ahead. Brazil fought back to take its fifth U-20 title, having been the runner-up two years ago. Portugal was seeking its third title.

Brazil was the clear favourite for the match between former colony and coloniser, but it was an even contest from start to finish, with only the brilliance of Oscar making the difference.

“This really makes us happy, because now we have matched the record of the senior team,” Brazil coach Ney Franco said, referring to the five World Cups Brazil's top side has won.

Portugal coach Ilidio Vale said the result was “not completely just” but acknowledged Brazil's “high quality team.”

“We were close to the dream, but we could not quite win it,” Ilidio said.

Asked about Ilidio's claim of injustice, Franco replied: “I disagree with what he (Ilidio) said. “The trophy is in our lockerroom.”

Oscar made the difference with his three goals - his first three of the 3 1/2-week tournament - in a performance that is sure to bring the big European clubs knocking on the door of the 19-year-old Internacional playmaker.

He broke through in spectacular style, sending a 40-meter (yard) free kick into the far corner, catching goalkeeper Mika flat-footed. It was the first goal yielded by Portugal in the tournament after six clean sheets in the previous matches.

Oliveira set up Portugal's equaliser when he ran to the byline and cut the ball back across the face of the goal with Alex tapping it home.

Just a minute later, Brazil appeared to score, with a bouncing ball going over the Mika's head. Replays suggested the ball had crossed the line, but American referee Mark Geiger let play go on.

Brazil always looked more threatening in the first half but could not find a way through Portugal's formidable defense, crowding the front of the goal. The South Americans led in every statistical category in the first half and had 55 percent of the possession.

Oliveira put Portugal ahead in the 59th. He broke down the right, beat defender Juan and his shot from a sharp angle beat Brazil goalkeeper Gabriel at the near post.

Brazil's equaliser came in the 78th. Mika blocked the initial shot by Dudu, but Oscar slotted the ball home.

Brazil had a slight edge in possession over the 90 minutes and a 9-4 edge in shots on target, though Portugal often looked the more threatening.

Prior to Oscar's winner, the best chance in extra time fell to Portugal's Cateano, who broke down the right and forced Gabriel into a point-blank save, knocking the ball away with both hands.

Both teams seemed run down in the final minutes, perhaps affected by playing at 2,600 meters (8,600 feet) in the Colombia capital. However Ilidio said “I don't think the altitude was an important factor. We had chances to score in win in extra time, as did Brazil.”http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The result avenged the result of the 1991 final, when Portugal defeated Brazil on penalties.

Portugal has won the U-20 title twice, far behind the leader Argentina with six.

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Pele named honorary ambassador for 2014 World Cup

2011-07-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Football legend Pele on Tuesday accepted an invitation from Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to act as an honorary ambassador for the 2014 World Cup.

The 70-year-old Brazilian said it was an honour that he could not turn down.

"From the first World Cup that I played (in 1958) I've been doing this: I defend and promote Brazil. It's a very big responsbility and I could not turn down the invitation," said Pele.

Pele told his compatriots to show their pride in hosting the tournament by putting aside criticism over delays and the slow pace of preparations to stage the best World Cup possible.

Sports Minister Orlando Silva said that Pele had been a natural choice because of "all he had done for sport in Brazil. He's a man who knohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifws a lot about the world of football. He's going to help and represent us".

Pele won the World Cup three times - 1958, 1962 and 1970 - and is the top scorer of all time with 1,281 goals throughout his career.

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Copa America: Brazil

2011-07-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

Coach Mano Menezes took over for Dunga after Brazil was bounced in the semi-finals of the last world cup. Many criticized Dunga’s style of play because it did not pay homage to the jogo bonito brand of soccer.

Mano Menezes was supposed to bring back the flair and creativity we all associate with Brazilian soccer. Santos superstars Neymar and Ganso, along with AC Milan striker Pato and midfielder Robinho were going to take Copa America by storm.

Reality quickly set in after they were held to a draw by Venezuela and escaped with a last minute draw against Paraguay. A 4-2 win against a declining Ecuador masked the overall problems which Brazil demonstrated in their first two games.

Much talked about Neymar was substituted out in critical points in Brazil’s last two games, which speaks volumes about the coaches confidence in the young starlet. The talent is undeniable, but much maturity is still needed for Neymar to be a sure-fire superstar. He too often plays as if playing on the local playground, and forgets soccer is a team game while playing with blinders on.

Furthermore, referees have grown tired of his diving and flopping and often times referees do not give him the benefit of the doubt on fouls.

Ganso was handed the coveted “10” shirt and at moments looked the part with his slick passing and uncanny field vision. However, these moments were few and far between for the Brazilian attack to be effective.

Dani Alves was out of sorts and found himself on the bench in favor of Inter Milan’s Maicon, who brought more depth to the Brazilian attack on the right side.

Attacking left-back Andre Santos was average at best and provided little to the attack.

Robinho was his usual self, which is to say unconvincing and uninspiring. He made ineffective runs and errand passes all tournaments.

Pato was given little service as Neymar and Robinho did their worst “FIFA STREET” imitation.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires was nowhere to be seen in his defensive midfielder spot. His passes were erratic and often times lost possession in the midfield, which led to opponent counter-attacks.

Defenders Lucio and Thiago Silva were solid, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar was suspect, giving up questionable goals to Ecuador.

Although many will say they were unlucky not to beat Paraguay in the quarter-final round, the fact remains this team only plays in spurts with little consistency.

Also, there is no excuse for missing FOUR straight penalty shots in the shootout. There is no doubt that the field was in horrid conditions, but these are professional players, making more money than we can imagine to kick a ball http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifabout a field.

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Brazil 2-2 Paraguay:

2011-07-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Fred hits late equaliser to save Mano Menezes' side from shock Copa America defeat

The Fluminense man hit home in the 90th minute to rescue a point after goals from Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez had looked to have handed the Paraguayans all three points

A strike from Fred in the 90th minute rescued a point for Brazil against a Paraguay side who had looked to have secured a famous victory in Copa America Group B.

Jadson raised the hopes of the five-time World Cup winners with a goal before half-time, but strikes from Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez fired Paraguay to the brink of victory over the lacklustre favourites until Fred popped up late on.

Paraguay came flying out of the blocks on a gloriously warm winter's afternoon in Cordoba, and Newell's Old Boys winger Marcelo Estigarribia forced a save from Julio Cesar seconds in with a speculative shot from distance.

Brazil, meanwhile, began how they finished against Venezuela, attacking with little purpose or urgency and relying on individual forays from Neymar down the left.

The Guarani should have taken the lead after just two minutes. Lucas Barrios did excellently to hold up the ball and thread through to Santa Cruz, but his strike partner blazed over when only Cesar stood between him and an opener. Paraguay continued to work hard, pressuring the Selecao all over the pitch and provoking some awful mistakes in defence and midfield.

Jadson was the surprise inclusion minutes before kick-off in place of Robinho, and the Shakhtar playmaker was key in Brazil's first foray on goal. A neat exchange between him and Ganso opened up the defence for Alexandre Pato's benefit, but the AC Milan man chose to try and dribble round Justo Villar and was denied well by the goalkeeper.

After a bright start the game started to lose intensity, and a section of frustrated Brazil fans pleaded for the inclusion of Kaka and Lucas to give life to a side looking chronically short of ideas in the final third. Paraguay, meanwhile, retreated back into their own half, although Estigarribia and the hulking Nestor Ortigoza impressed in the middle - the San Lorenzo man demonstrating his strength with several huge challenges.

Just before half-time, however, Brazil found the key to take the initiative. With 38 minutes on the clock, Jadson found himself with space on the edge of the area after some patient, one-touch build-up. The 27-year-old fired home precisely to the left of Villar to record his first ever international strike, sending a rejuvenated Selecao into the break 1-0 to the good.

It would be Jadson's last contribution in the match as he was sacrificed by Mano Menezes at half-time in favour of Elano. They struggled to rediscover their rhythm after the break, however, and scrappy fouls started to characterise a messy start to the second period. Paraguay were on top, and it was no surprise when they levelled.

Huge spaces could be found in the middle of the field, and the Guarani took full advantage as they streaked down the left. The excellent Estigarribia reached the byline and raked the ball across goal, and Santa Cruz was there to atone for his earlier miss by calmly slotting past Cesar.

A spell of dominance for Gerardo Martino's team followed, but with 20 minutes to go Neymar spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead. The Santos man found himself all alone against Villar but, like Pato before him, he tried to be too clever. The repercussions were almost instant.

Paraguay broke immediately on the counter, and with Dani Alves nowhere to be seen the ball once more found it's way to Nelson Valdez in the middle. The Hercules man was denied by Cesar, but the ball rebounded kindly and at the second time of asking he managed to turn it in with his head. The Estadio Mario Kempes exploded with shouts from the Paraguayan fans, who comfortably outnumbered the Brazil contingent in the terraces.

Menezes threw on young Lucas Moura in an effort to kick-start his lacklustre team, but there was no way through a resilient rival defence. With just minutes left on the clock, however, substitute Fred picked up Ganso's ball and drove in from the edge of the box, breaking the hearts of the Paraguay support and saving a point for Brazil.

Brazil remain level with the Paraguayans on two points in Group B, and Venezuela or Ecuador could go top if either manages to record a win in Salta.

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Copa America: Pato ready to fire Brazil to glory

2011-07-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

Brazil striker Alexandre Pato is confident his side can still go on to lift their third Copa America title in a row, despite a disappointing 0-0 draw with Venezuela in their opening match.

A new-look team featuring the attacking talents of Robinho, Neymar and Ganso, as well as Pato, controlled proceedings for much of the match but were unable to breach their opponents’ defence.

The result, and uninspired performance, provoked an angry reaction from the media in Brazil with many pointing out that a pitchinvading dog got closer to the Venezuelan goal than the eight-time winners.

However, Pato, who hit the woodwork on Sunday night, remains upbeat about the Selecao’s chances and believes lessons have been learned as they prepare for their final two group games against Paraguay and Ecuador.

“We all want to do our job and bring Brazil to the top,” the 21-year-old said. “We did not have much time to train together. But this is just the beginning. If we had won in Venezuela, we would not be talking about this.

“There are two more games, we will win and will qualify to the quarter-finals. We are all convinced we can win the Cup but the team is new, the coach is new, everything is new.”

Brazil are no strangers to sluggish starts at the Copa America. In 2004, their blushes were saved in their opening match against Chile by a 90th-minute Luis Fabiano winner, while they were beaten 2-0 by Mexico in their first game four years ago.

On both occasions they went on to claim the title and Pato doesn’t see why his fellow youngsters can’t repeat the trick this time around and complete a hat-trick of wins, especially as Paraguay and Ecuador also drew.

“We’re not concerned about the draw against Venezuela,” he added. “While we expected a different result, a victory, the other teams tied. So the Cup begins again.

“Every game is different. We had a pretty good first half against Venezuela. The only thing missing was a goal. The game against Paraguay will be different as they will play us on equal terms. There will be more spaces.”

With an attacking triumvirate behind him, Pato was asked by Brazil coach Mano Menezes to lead the line on his own against Venezuela until the second-half introduction of Fred. But the AC Milan forward revealed he wasn’t feeling any extra pressure and is keen to score the goals in Argentina that help fire his side to the quarter-finals.

“I do what Menezes asks because I want to help the team get three points against Paraguay,” he said. “My role is to secure and keep the ball for the team on the offence. Also, I have an obligation to score goals, because I am the centre forward.”

Meanwhile, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has vowed to go on the attack when his team meet Brazil on Saturday. Los Guaraníes are also looking for their first goal of the tournament but Martino believes their best chances of success lie in taking the game to their opponents.

“We will not give up the intention of playing, attacking and to win the game,” he said. “We are not a perfect team. But we are working to maintain attention, concentration, and work-rate for 90 minutes.”

Martino is well aware of the attacking threat posed by Brazil though:“Dani (Alves) goes on forever, outside, inside; he is almost a No10. Not only Alves, but Ganso, Robinho, Pato, Neymar and many more.”

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Brazil's Alexandre Pato: Draw against Venezuela is not a bad result

2011-07-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

AC Milan forward claims that his side's failure to score in their opening match was not a disaster and that they will still qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament

Brazil striker Alexandre Pato has spoken out about his country’s goalless draw in their Copa America opener against Venezuela, and feels the result shows that there are no easy games in the competition.

The Selecao were subjected to criticism for failing to hit the target in a match that saw a resilient Venezuela side grab a deserved point.

The AC Milan hitman hit the woodwork, as close as Brazil came in the contest, but Pato remains optimistic that the team can challenge for the title.

“We created many dangerous situations which we were unable to finish, but the draw is not bad,” the striker told the press.

“What is clear is that there are no easy games or simple opponents. The result against Venezuela is a reflection of that. Hopefully we can improve our form for the next game and get a result that allows us to dream of qualifying.”

The other teams in Brazil’s group - Paraguay and Ecuador – also played out a goalless draw, meaning that Mano Menezes’ side do not have to play catch-up, despite their slip.

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Alexandre Pato can become Brazil's new Ronaldo – Mano Menezes

2011-06-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

National team boss tips his young striker to go on and scale great heights in the game, believing that he can be an integral part of his side's future successes

Brazil coach Mano Menezes feels AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has what it takes to become the new Ronaldo.

Pato, 21, is in the Brazil squad for the Copa America and his coach expects him to thrive like the legendary forward, who won two World Cups and is the competition's all-time top scorer with 15 goals.

"The fans always expect to see someone who will replace their previous idols and now they want Pato to be a Ronaldo or Romario," Menezes is quoted as saying by La Repubblica.

"I ask for calm because I feel Pato has the right characteristics to occupy Ronaldo's place.

"People are always talking about Neymar, but Pato has the quality to become the player we all want him to be."

Brazil's Copa America campaign kicks off on July 3 against Venezuela.

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Brazilian Congress limits powers of FIFA, IOC

2011-06-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Brazilian lawmakers have limited the powers of FIFA and IOC over projects related to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

In a bill aimed at reducing the bureaucracy for infrastructure work for both events, a clause was removed that allowed FIFA and the International Olympic Committee to request project changes without cost limits to the Brazilian government.

It was approved late Tuesday by the lower house of Congress. The bill also added an element of transparency after critics had complained that details on previous bidding processes had not been made available to the public.

The bill will go before the Senate, which is likely to approve it. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said she will immediately sign it into law.

"The goal was to make the text more clear, to show that no superpowers were given to an international body," Brazil Sports Minister Orlando Silva said on his radio program Wednesday. "But Brazil will fulfill all requirements made by FIFA and will abide to their recommendations."

There had been widespread criticism after the legislation was initially approved by the lower house a few weeks ago, with local media and watchdog groups saying the changes could open the door for misuse of public money and overspending.

Supporters argued that without the measure, it would be difficult to finish all the work in time for the World Cup and the Olympics because the bidding law was inefficient in several areas, especially when considering the challenges of hosting the world's top sporting events.

The new text guarantees that the bidding processes will be properly monitored and that all details will be open to the public.

"The changes were made so there is no doubt that there won't be any restrictions," Silva said. "The restrictions are only for the companies involved in the bidding."

The bill is intended to reduce the time needed to set up and conclude bidding processes, eliminating some of its stages and some requirements necessary for approval.

The measure also approved the creation of an aviation secretariat to oversee the country's civil aviation agency and the nation's airport authority. Government officials have acknowledged that the lack of adequate airport infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges Brazil is facing ahead of the World Cup and the Rio Olympics.

Stadium construction is also a problem, but Silva said the government is working with the host cities to try to expedite work. The minister urged Sao Paulo legislators to quickly approve a tax break that would help fund the stadium in South America's biggest city. Sao Paulo wants to host the World Cup's opening match, but it is yet to start building its venue.

"There is no plan B for Sao Paulo," Silva said. "The city is running the risk of delivering the stadium only in 2014, which is complicated."

Sao Paulo has already been ruled out of the Confederations Cup, along with the northeastern city of Natal.

Brazil is hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1950, and the games in Rio will be the first in South America.

Also Tuesday, Rio mayor Eduardo Paes made official the creation of the Olympic Municipal Company, which will handle the projects related to the 2016 Games.

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Rich Man Brazil

2011-03-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

Richest Men of the World

Eike Batista (No. 8)

Source: Mining, oil
Citizenship: Brazil

Brazil's richest man is gearing up to take over the world. Making a play for foreign investors, Batista announced this year the opening of an office in New York and his intention to list some of his companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Through his holding company, EBX, Batista controls businesses spanning mining, shipbuilding, energy, logistics, tourism and entertainment. After months of discussions, he was triumphant in February in taking control of Canadian gold outfit Ventana. Two-thirds of his fortune comes from OGX, the oil and gas exploration company he founded in 2007 and took public a year later. He says the company will start producing oil this year. In rare recent setback, his planned IPO for his shipbuilding business (OSX), meant to be the world's largest IPO in 2010, was a disappointment and has had a lukewarm reception in the Brazilian market.

The son of Brazil's revered former mining minister, who presided over mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, got his start in gold trading and mining. Onetime champion offshore powerboat racer; formerly married to Playboy cover girl. In media interviews he's been warning Carlos Slim Helú that he'll soon take his spot as the world's richest man, but he still has a ways to go.

Rich Man Brazil

Brazil speeds up World Cup preparation

2010-07-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian government announced measures on Monday to speed up preparations to host the soccer World Cup in 2014, boosting spending and cutting red tape for public works projects.

The move follows growing concern in recent weeks, including by the soccer world governing body FIFA, that preparations for the sporting event were seriously delayed.

The debate put the spotlight on numerous obstacles to investment in Brazil's fast-growing economy and angered President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has been touting the tournament as an accomplishment of his government ahead of October's presidential election.

Brazil will also host the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In a signing ceremony arranged at short notice, Lula pledged 5.5 billion reais to revamp airports in the 12 cities that will host the soccer tournament.

He also lifted restrictions on the ability of cities to raise debt to pay for infrastructure such as roads, stadiums and trains.

Lula, who called some of the concerns senseless, said the latest measures would avoid problems Brazil had with funding the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The federal government also donated real estate and earmarked 740 million reais on Monday to allow seven cities, including Rio de Janeiro, to overhaul their ports and facilitate docking of large cruise ships.

"Certainly it will be an alternative to the lack of hotels," said Pedro Brito, the ports minister.

Lula blamed the Sao Paulo state government, which until April was run by the opposition presidential candidate Jose Serra, for failing to provide an adequate stadium to host the World Cup.

"Frankly, I can't imagine a World Cup in Brazil without Sao Paulo as one of the corners for athletes to play ball," Lula said during the ceremony in the capital Brasilia.

Original story:

Stemsport - soon to be available in Brazil?

2010-07-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

StemSport

The StemSPORT regime is the latest Stem Cell Nutrition offering coming out of California's STEMTech HealthSciences, the Stem Cell Nutrition company. STEMTech and its Chief Science Officer Christian Drapeau have been increasingly in the news over the last two years for their breakthrough work in the field of Adult Stem Cells.

The STEMTech mantra, supported by double blind scientific studies, is that Adult Stem Cells made by a person's own bone marrow are nothing less than the body's natural renewal system. The STEMTech product line increases the release and circulation of Adult Stem Cells by some 25% with some extraordinary results. StemSPORT is their first entry into the Sport's Nutrition market.

Sports guru and STEMTech V.P. Heather Livingston said the NBA All Star Weekend venue for launching the sports Stem Cell Nutrition product is symbolic.

"With StemSPORT we're empowering distributors to proactively impact the performance of all athletes, amateur and professional, by assisting in reducing muscle recovery time. What more visible start than with the Legends of Basketball?"

Scientist and author Christian Drapeau explains how the Stem Cell enhancers function to maximize human performance: "Supporting the release of stem cells from the bone marrow and increasing the number of circulating stem cells improves various aspects of human health. For very active and sports focused people, Stem Cells are the raw materials to repair micro-tears and micro-injuries created during training."

The results, according to Drapeau, are that active people, whether former NBA stars or amateur weekenders, can exercise more intensely at each training session with the ultimate consequence of greater performance.

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Stubborn Dunga dug own grave

2010-07-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

The ghosts of his stoic and at times arrogant selection blunders will surely come to haunt Carlos Dunga long after he has been delegated to what now seems a certain Brazilian coaching grave.

In a soccer-mad country where failure to win the World Cup is little short of a tragedy and invariably a non-negotiable commodity for any coach, Dunga went out on a limb when he inexplicably refused to include charismatic soccer genius Ronaldinho in his 2010 World Cup squad.

But almost as though fate took a hand in knocking the nails into Dunga’s coffin as Brazil slithered to a 2-1 defeat against Holland at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday, it was Dunga’s controversially selected Felipe Melo that precipitated the jarring second-half decline of the five-time champions.

Although a talented player, Melo has experienced an alarming decline in form over the past 12 months so much that he has regularly been booed by supporters of Juventus, in Italy, where he is now based after a series of blunders not dissimilar to those he committed against The Netherlands.

In the first instance it was Melo’s header that deflected the Jabulani ball into the net past bemused goalkeeper Julio Cesar for The Netherlands’ second-half equaliser.

Then again it was the hapless Melo who was responsible for Brazil being reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute when he needlessly stomped all over Arjen Robben.

And Dunga’s world – or should that be World Cup – fell apart after he had also stuck by a combination he had pieced together 12 months earlier while stubbornly disregarding the loss of form of a number of other players apart from Melo.

He resorted to utilising three defensive midfielders following the injury to Elano and playing Dani Alves, one of the world’s leading full-backs, out-of-position in a role where his talents are largely negated.

And, apart from the non-selection of Ronaldinho, the implacable Dunga had also turned his back on brilliant AC Milan striker Pato and a host of dynamic, emerging young Brazilian stars.

That is how Dunga dug his own grave.

Original:

Brazil’s Beautiful Game Now Has Tougher Edge

2010-07-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

By whatever means the Dutch think they can knock Brazil out of the World Cup, getting physical would not be a good idea. This is a big Brazilian team, the tallest, strongest and most physical in memory.

Its defenders will be taller and clearly bigger man to man than their Dutch counterparts in Friday’s quarterfinal game in Port Elizabeth. And if Mark van Bommel has notions of roughing up Kaká the way he did little Leo Messi in the Champions League last year, he might consider two things: the referees in this World Cup have been consistently hard on that kind of play, and Kaká is one of eight Brazilian starters (and 13 on the 23-man roster) who stand above 6 feet.

Indeed, Kaká has already been forced to miss a game during this tournament for what might euphemistically be termed getting his retaliation in first. A man of silky skills, Kaká has added steel, as anyone playing under Coach Carlos Dunga must.

Dunga was tough as a player. As a coach, he is unequivocal: stand up and fight for the right to play or he will select someone who will.

Brazil’s muscle has been growing for more than 40 years. Some might ascribe this to Dunga, 46, but he is a mere disciple — an extreme one perhaps — of a toughening-up process that dates to 1966. It was then that Pelé, the greatest player of them all, was battered out of the World Cup in England. First the Bulgarians kicked him, then the Portuguese. The Brazilians never forgot that in the Portugal game it was a British referee, George McCabe, who allowed the rough play that hobbled Pelé and led to Brazil’s being eliminated in the group stage.

Long before Dunga was a player, Brazil dispatched trainers and coaches to study physical preparation at the German sports institute in Leipzig. The Beautiful Game that fans know and love — and hope for from Brazil from time to time — gives way to emulating Europeans, sacrificing flair for method.

Dunga was the anchor of perhaps the most structured Brazilian team to be world champion, in 1994. He watched Brazil win the trophy again in 2002, but lose in the quarterfinals in Germany four years later.

That was when he came in as coach. His work is evident in the way Brazil performs now, a style that is so athletic that many former Brazilian players are Dunga’s foremost critics. The former star Socrates has called the new Brazil “an affront to our culture.”

Socrates was a tall, thin midfielder who appeared to walk on stilts when he played in the 1980s. He was elegant and languid in his movements, but his type would never get near the Brazil of Dunga.

It is not simply a question of height. The members of Dunga’s team — with the exception of the recently repatriated winger Robinho and the reserve defender Gilberto Melo — play for clubs in the rugged leagues of Europe. Goalkeeper Júlio César, right back Maicon and central defender Lúcio, the team’s captain, helped Inter Milan win the Italian League, the Italian Cup and the Champions League in May.

César, playing at this World Cup in a back brace to protect a recent injury, is game-tested and among the few first-rate goalkeepers Brazil has produced. Boys in Brazil prefer to play offense. Even some defenders, like Lúcio and Maicon, love nothing better than to stride out of their defensive positions and counterattack.

Dunga does not deny them the right, provided they observe the safety-first ethic of his game plan. This, moreover, must be the first Brazil seleção, the national team, that strives to win matches on set plays like corner kicks rather than simply off the flow of the game.

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Brazil 3, Chile 0

2010-06-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

Rhythmic or Ruthless, Beauty Is in Eye of Brazil

Let others complain about a lack of beauty. Dunga, Brazil’s coach, is concerned only about winning. The World Cup is, after all, a soccer tournament. The goal is to put another trophy in the case, not to hang a picture on the wall.

With its usual pragmatic reliance on set pieces and rampaging counterattacks, Brazil routed Chile, 3-0, on Monday night at Ellis Park. Seeking a sixth World Cup title, it advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face the Netherlands on Friday.

If Brazil no longer plays samba soccer, sometimes seeming disjointed and desultory in attack, it remains formidable with an athletic and remorseless defense and enough moments of individual brilliance to summon the beautiful game and to lament its absence.

Monday’s victory was Brazil’s most impressive of its three so far. It featured glimpses of ostentation and fluidity that recalled a more elegant past. But mostly the match was one of dogged hustle and incessant running to intercept Chile’s florid attack, strip it and boomerang it in the opposite direction.

“We already said in these World Cup games, we have to go forward and play open football,” Dunga said. “That’s what everybody wants to see.”

In the 35th minute, Maicon’s corner kick found center back Juan, who was challenged only by other teammates seeking to score, not by any Chilean defenders. Juan headed the ball sharply from 10 yards, and Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo raised his right hand too late as Brazil went ahead, 1-0.

Three minutes later, Brazil scored on a quick counterattack. Maicon whipped a long pass to midfield, and Kaká headed the ball to Robinho, who was streaming down the left flank. Robinho crossed back to Kaká, who slid the ball perfectly forward to Luís Fabiano in the penalty area.

Chile’s offside trap failed, and Luís Fabiano stepped around the charging Bravo and tapped the ball into an empty net, scoring his third goal in four games and giving Brazil a 2-0 lead.

Kaká no longer has the commanding presence that made him the world player of the year in 2007, but he is slowly building in this World Cup after an injury-thwarted season at Real Madrid. After sitting out the final group match with a suspension, Kaká returned with graceful passing to fuel Brazil’s potent counterattacks.

He does, however, have to remain careful after drawing his third yellow card in four matches.

“Yes, it is a problem,” an irritated Dunga said. “Technical players are punished, and those who always commit fouls aren’t. This is lamentable.”

Brazil’s final goal came in the 59th minute, when midfielder Ramires stole a pass at midfield, dribbled through acres of open space and passed at the top of the penalty area to Robinho. His one-touch shot curled around Bravo and inside the right post, putting Brazil ahead, 3-0.

If Brazil is not always brilliant, it does possess remarkable depth and resourcefulness. Elano, who had two goals and an assist in group play, and Felipe Melo were absent from midfield with injury. They were hardly missed.

Ramires had played only 15 minutes in Brazil’s first three games, but he was ruthlessly efficient on Monday’s third goal. The other replacement midfielder was the kinetic Dani Alves, who happens to be the right back for Barcelona.

Before Monday’s game, Dunga defended his team’s style. This is becoming a daily occurrence, like shaving. Brazil’s World Cup titlists from 1958, 1962 and 1970 are remembered fondly because of the polishing of time and the enhancing of their artistry through edited video remnants, Dunga suggested.

“They just show the good parts,” Dunga said. “If we take the current Brazilian team and just show the best bits, fans will think it is a spectacular team. But today, they show as many negative moments as good ones.”

He continually reminds reporters that soccer today is different in terms of fitness and tactics and pressure. But he also concedes that it is human nature to think fondly of the past, knowing that his team also has the possibility to grow in affection with the passage of time.

“My grandfather always told my father football was better in his day, and my father told me the same,” Dunga said. “I tell my son it was better in my day, and my son will in turn tell his boy that football during his time was the most beautiful.”

For now, beauty can take a back seat to mercilessness.

Chile has developed a swarming attack under Coach Marcelo Bielsa, who is known as El Loco. It plays a style that sits on the razor’s edge between self-assuredness and self-immolation. On Monday, Chile experienced the same futility as it had against Spain, charging forward but leaving itself vulnerable to whiplash counterattacks.

Forward Humberto Suazo, who led South America with 10 goals during World Cup qualifying but played little over the last two months because of injuries, started and grew sharper as the game went on.

But neither he nor his teammates could do more than threaten. Chile has now lost eight consecutive times to Brazil, conceding 29 goals.

“The superiority of Brazil was too much for us,” Bielsa said. “We were unable to slow them down. They were quick to take advantage of every crack we had in our defense.”

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Soccer - Brazil not losing any sleep over goalless draw

2010-06-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Brazil's stalemate with Portugal was the first World Cup group game since 1978 they have failed to score in and the first in 12 years they have not won although coach Dunga is unlikely to lose any sleep over it.

Already assured of a place in the last 16, Brazil were on Friday without suspended playmaker Kaka, rested Robinho who had complained of muscle fatigue and were also missing the injured Elano, who scored in each of their first two games.

Even so, they dominated an often petulant, bad-tempered match against their former colonial masters, who themselves needed a point to absolutely guarantee they would qualify from Group G and showed little appetite for adventure.

Robinho, who forgets the problems that have dogged his club career when he puts on a Brazil shirt, has been one of their liveliest players here but Nilmar proved an able replacement.

The Villarreal striker, who has the impressive tally of eight goals in 15 internationals, was twice close to opening the scoring in the first half and his close control and speed made him a constant nuisance for the Portuguese rearguard.

The absence of Kaka was more keenly felt, especially after he set up two goals in the 3-1 win over Ivory Coast last Sunday when he appeared close to returning to his best.

Kaka's explosive bursts from deep in the midfield, vision and clinical finishing, often from long distance, make him one of Brazil's most feared players, even when he is not fully fit.

DUNGA FRUSTRATED

After Brazil's sixth goalless draw of his nearly four years in charge, coach Dunga again expressed frustration at the way opponents shut up their defence when they play his side.

"All teams take extra care when they face Brazil, there was nothing unusual about Portugal's tactics," he said.

It was a rather odd complaint from Dunga, who is himself much more comfortable when Brazil -- who had scored in every World Cup group match since their 0-0 draw with Spain in 1978 -- can play on the counter-attack.

Under Dunga, Brazil's best results have come away from home, where their opponents are forced to come out and attack.

Their World Cup qualifying campaign included 4-0 wins in Venezuela and Uruguay, a 3-0 win in Chile and a 3-1 win in Argentina while home results included goalless draws against Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.

For all their lack of imagination, Brazil at least proved they are difficult to break down and only once looked in danger but were let off when Raul Meireles fluffed a chance. They have won 18 of their last 21 games and are unbeaten in nine.

Portugal never looked like a team who won their last game 7-0 and their performance had fear written all over it. But they are in the last 16 for the second World Cup in a row even if a chorus of jeers drowned out the vuvuzelas at the end.

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Mulling Kaka replacement

2010-06-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

With progress to the FIFA World Cup™ last 16 already assured, Brazil's reserves have the chance to shine in their final group match against Portugal.

Monday was a rest day for the most part for the first eleven, as coach Dunga instead put the remainder of the squad through their paces in the knowledge that he now has two reasons to shuffle his pack and investigate his men's strength in depth. That is because wins over Korea DPR and Côte d'Ivoire have propelled Brazil through the opening phase but also because star midfielder Kaka has inadvertently done Dunga a favour.

By getting himself a red card against Côte d'Ivoire, the Real Madrid superstar will have to sit out the Portugal encounter come what may. His opening showing against the North Koreans in a fairly hard-fought 2-1 win was not quite what fans have come to expect of a former FIFA World Player of the Year and there had been indications that he would not necessarily keep his place with some players talking up the skills of the likes of Julio Baptista.

Kaka did improve against Côte d'Ivoire with a neat assist, but his sending off for pushing Abdelkader Keita means Dunga must shake things up anyway - though with six points in the bag, he can afford to do so. "We are not sure who will replace Kaka for the next game, we will think about it over the next few days," Dunga said.

Although Dunga - to the horror of some former players and many fans - has reined in the samba style in his four-year tenure, to date he has nonetheless been handsomely rewarded both in the CONMEBOL Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup here last year.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently in charge of Côte d'Ivoire, feels Brazil look like champions. "You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are good, they are very good," opined Eriksson.

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Dunga expects better from Brazil

2010-06-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

Brazil open their World Cup campaign with victory over North Korea

Brazil boss Dunga expects his team to improve considerably following their 2-1 win over North Korea in their opening Group G match in Johannesburg.

Second-half goals from Maicon and Elano gave Brazil a 2-0 lead before Ji Yun-nam's 88th-minute strike set up a nervous final few minutes.

"The start is the most difficult match, you have a long wait for this and the anxiety builds up," said Dunga.

"I'm not entirely happy but this is common in football."

The five-time world champions were frustrated by a resilient first-half defensive display by the unheralded North Koreans, 104 places below their opponents in Fifa's rankings.

Robinho posed a constant threat with the ball at his feet but, despite a number of promising attacking moves, Brazil could not penetrate North Korea's three central defenders until after the interval.

"When we come across a team that is also offensive it creates the necessary space but it is very difficult against some teams to develop a counter-attack," added Dunga.

"North Korea passed extremely well and defended extremely well but nevertheless Brazil were able to create a number of opportunities."

It took a moment of inspiration in the 50th minute from full-back Maicon to break the deadlock, firing a superb goal with the outside of his right boot from an acute angle to beat goalkeeper

"I thought of everything which I went through to get to this moment," reflected the Inter Milan defender.

"It was my first World Cup match, I didn't cry but I was very happy with the goal I scored.

"It is important to start with a victory and we did it. It was a good step toward our goal of being in the final on 11 July."

Maicon's goal at first seemed a touch fortuitous but Dunga insisted it was no fluke.

"We have training drills and I can tell you it's not the first goal that Maicon has scored in this fashion," stated Dunga.

"It's not so much an error by the goalkeeper but creativity on the part of Maicon. Yes, the goalkeeper could have stayed [on his line] but he anticipated that the ball was going to be crossed."

While Robinho impressed, Galatico Kaka was less influential and was replaced by Villarreal striker Nilmar in the 78th minute."

The Real Madrid star has been restricted by a series of injuries this season, although Dunga insisted his plan was to replace the midfielder during the second half.

"We had already anticipated that Kaka would be substituted - he wasn't going to play the full 90 minutes because he hasn't played a full game in five months," commented Dunga.

"We wanted to increase the rhythm and speed of our team so at 2-0 up we wanted to replace him."

Robinho is confident that the three points will allow his team to improve in their next two group matches against the Ivory Coast and Portugal.

"It wasn't our best match but at least we got the win, that's what matters now," he said.

Original Story:

Soccer will trump all when Brazil is playing

2010-06-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

Their fanaticism a little dampened, Brazilians will nevertheless still duck out of work, close businesses and bring the country to a virtual halt during soccer's World Cup.

In Brazil, where everything from the national Congress to the currency market stops in its tracks for Brazil games, it is safest to assume that nothing will be working as normal during the month-long tournament it has won a record five times.

On the days Brazil's yellow-and-green shirted players take to the pitch in South Africa, banks have permission from the central bank to close early, the currency market will operate on shortened hours, and most government agencies will shut down.

Many companies will allow staff to go home early on those days, the first of which comes tomorrow when Brazil's team, known simply here as the "sele231227o", faces North Korea.

Others install big screens at the office.

Investors breathed a sigh of relief this week when Brazil's Senate passed the key points of an overhaul of the country's oil laws seen as a vital reform step ahead of national elections in October.

Analysts had been warning for months that a delay in the approval past the start of the World Cup could have dashed hopes for getting the bill passed for months. Congress will shut down on Brazil game days and many legislators treat the tournament as an unofficial recess period.

As banks and companies close, the slack in economic activity is taken up by fans flocking to buy big televisions and, on game days, beer and food in restaurants where the best tables have been booked long in advance.

Sales of televisions at the Eletroshopping retail chain in northeast Brazil were up about 30 percent in the past month, its vice-president Fernando Freitas said.

"The Cup-related consumption is really big, especially of the latest generation digital televisions because this World Cup is seen as the most hi-tech so far," he said.

The boost is a timely one for retailers, coming shortly after the government withdrew tax breaks on home appliances that have helped fuel a frothing recovery in Latin America's biggest economy.

The party spirit could quickly be doused by a poor Brazilian showing, however. Expectations of a sixth World Cup triumph are high, but they are mixed with misgivings over a team coached by 1994 World Cup winner Dunga that is seen by many as betraying the beautiful, samba style that long defined Brazilian football.

Brazilians took longer to warm up for this year's tournament than in the past, when expectations of victory and flamboyant football were higher, said 45-year-old factory worker Antenor Assis.

Original Story:

Ranking all 32 World Cup squads

2010-06-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

Good times are ahead for Kaka and Brazil.

Every nation in the World Cup has now made its way to South Africa, with final preparations in full flow.

All the conjecture and all the speculation is coming to a close; all the squad lists have been submitted; and the time is fast approaching when the planet can stop talking about this tournament and get on with the job of watching it unfold.

The merits of every squad have been pored over and analyzed for months, leaving us with assumptions of respective strength which – if history is anything to go by – will soon be blown out of the water.

The World Cup wouldn't be the World Cup without a healthy dose of surprises, with underdog teams and unheralded players grasping their moment in the South African sun. That's why ranking the finalists from 1 to 32 could be best described as a fool's errand that is certain to prompt its fair share of sneering I-told-you-so's before the group stage has even ended.

That said, here's our rundown of the teams which clinched their place in soccer's greatest showcase.

1. Brazil – Dunga's squad is packed with quality but, thanks to a tough draw, faces a rocky road to the final.

Read complete story and the rest of the rankings

Goals Champions in the World Cup Soccer History

2010-06-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

It might surprise you to find out that almost every culture and civilization in the world has always been connected to football.soccer in one way or another. Ancient Greeks, Persians, Vikings, The Chinese, Japanese alike had a sport very similar to today’s soccer. For instance, the Chinese played “footballer”, about 3000 years before we made soccer a world championship.

With an English birth certificate, soccer rapidly spread and became popular; today is considered the king of all sports and has millions of fans all over the world.

FIFA World Cup Soccer has been from the very beginning the most appropriate chance for soccer players to become real stars because of their prolific activity in the soccer field, measured in the number of goals they have scored so far. Thus, world soccer records holders appeared, for instance the player who has scored the most goals in world cup soccer history.

The first position of this ranking is occupied by the Brazilian professional footballer Ronaldo Nazario de Lima (known all over the world simply as Ronaldo), the player that has scored the moest goals in the history of the world soccer championship. He was born in September 18, 1976 and in 1993, he began his professional soccer/footballer career with the Cruzeiro soccer team.

During his Cruzeiro year he score 12 goals in 14 soccer games played; thus, having the lead of his team, he won the Copa do Brasil championship (for the team he was playing this was the first time to win such an important title). In 1994, Ronaldo became a PSV player in Holland and in 1996, just as he had done with his previous team in 1993, he had lead the PSV to winning the Dutch Cup.

As an established national footballer for Brazil, Ronaldo has played in 97 international games, scoring a total number of 62 goals. When Brazil won the 1994 and 2002 World Cups, he was playing for the Brazilian team. With his participation at the 2006 World Cup, where he scored his fifteenth goal, Ronaldo became officially the highest goal scorer in the history of the World Cup.

‘O Fenômeno’ (meaning “The Phenomenon” in English), how the entire world calls him, became synonym with Ronaldo, with the number 9 on the T-shirt and the center forward soccer position in the playing field. His European career brought him to the top of the world’s best ’strikers’ list after being granted the Ballon d’Or as the European Footballer of the Year in 1997, and again in 2002.

Ronaldo also won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times (only two players in the world have a similar performance, one of them being him), and in 2007 the France Football placed him among the best starting eleven of all-time and named him to the FIFA 100 (this is a list with the greatest football players of all times, which is lead by the Brazilian Pelé).

Ronaldo played a very important part in increasing the marketing interest in soccer throughout the world due to his relationship with Nike, a company that concentrated their resources exclusively on basketball before.

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Picking World Cup Squads in the Dark

2010-05-30T13:04:00.000-07:00

The World Cup in South Africa is one month away, but the 32 national team coaches are obliged to name at least provisional squads right now.

Some will need the judgment of Solomon to know which players are ready to peak. Some are already clinging to medical opinions about the recovery of long-injured stars. And, with Europe’s club season not yet finished, some are having to pencil in players who might yet break a leg before they even reach training camp.

It is ever thus in the global picture of overlapping calendars. But as public expectations rise, from Australia to Brazil, from Honduras to Japan, some national coaches are placing almost spiritual trust in players whose fitness or form have long been suspect.

Brazil, of course, is most people’s choice to push it to the limits because Brazil, the first country to hire whole phalanxes of mind and body specialists around its national team, has the experience of winning five World Cups.

Brazil’s coach, Dunga, has 190 million countrymen telling him whom to pick and whom to discard. He dares to tell Brazilians that flair alone will no longer beat the world. His methods are more pragmatic, more based on physical fitness than many would like.

Dunga has what may prove to be his only opportunity to win the World Cup as a coach, as he did in 1994 as a player. He decided to name his definitive 23 players this week, rather than allow the national debate to continue to June.

On Tuesday, Dunga did what those who know him expected him to do — he stuck to his principles. He resisted the clamor to recall Ronaldinho and Adriano. He ignored the popular appeal to promote Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, the exciting rising stars of Pelé’s old club. He stuck solidly to players he has tried and trusted over the past two years.

Complete article here:

Brazil to play friendly against Tanzania on June 7

2010-05-26T13:48:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian Confederation of Soccer (CBF) announced on Tuesday that the country's national team will face Tanzania on June 7 in a friendly.

It will be the team's last warmup before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The friendly will be held in Tanzania's capital city Dar Es Sallam.

With the friendly confirmed, the CBF is attempting to finalize one more friendly to take place on June 2 or June 3, possibly against Zimbabwe.

However, timing and negotiations have dragged, preventing an agreement to be finalized.

The CBF has avoided the possibility of facing any of the other 31 national soccer teams that will play in the 2010 World Cup. The entity denied an invitation from the host nation, South Africa for this reason.

Brazil will debut in the 2010 World Cup against DPR Korea on June 15 at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg.

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World Cup 2010: Brazil must deal with favorites label

2010-05-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Having been a part of three World Cup teams himself, Brazil manager Dunga knows all too well the expectations that come with being a member of Brazil's national team.

They are expected to win every time they take the field, and when it comes to the World Cup for the five-time champions, anything less than winning the tournament is viewed as a failure.

"We have to learn to live with the favorites' tag," Brazil midfielder Kaka told FIFA.com. "We must not let it turn into something negative, as it has done in previous years."

In fact, Brazil nearly lived up to its own lofty expectations over the past four World Cups, reaching the final three times and winning the competition twice.

They were beaten by France in the 1998 final on French soil, but they will be out to redeem themselves after a poor showing in 2006 saw them eliminated at the quarterfinal stage, again by France.

Dunga came under some pressure for an inconsistent showing in the CONMEBOL region of World Cup qualifying that saw his team win just nine of its 18 matches.

However, they still managed to finish on top of the group, with Chile and Paraguay close behind, and they are now focused on getting back to where they belong, the final of the World Cup.

Like any other year, Brazil is one of the favorites on paper with a talent- laden roster that includes world-class goalkeeper Julio Cesar, as well as talented fullbacks Daniel Alves and Maicon.

Ronaldinho was a surprise omission from Dunga's roster, which will leave the role of creative midfield playmaker to Kaka, while gritty veteran Gilberto Silva brings a physical presence to the midfield.

Luis Fabiano has established himself as the team's top scoring threat up top, and he will get help from the talented but seemingly inconsistent Robinho.

Brazil will feel it's the better team against anyone it lines up against, and rightfully so. But the big question that always must be answered is how well they handle their own expectations.

After all, anything less than a sixth title is unacceptable.

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Chelsea Lining Up a Massive Summer Bid for AC Milan "Wonderkid" Pato

2010-04-07T21:08:00.001-07:00

It has been in news recently that striker Alexander Pato may make a summer move from AC Milan. A spate of injuries this season have given him little action for the team.

Moreover, the inconsistent form of Milan has sparked speculation that Pato might consider lucrative offers in the summer.

Chelsea, who had made a failed bid for the highly-rated Pato the previous summer, is making plans to launch an ambitious bid of over £45million this summer to secure the signing of the Brazilian "Wonderkid."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who had previously coached the 20-year-old striker while in charge at AC Milan, is a long term admirer of Pato.

Alex the "Duck", as Pato is lovingly called, is known for his quick pace, skillful dribbling, and powerful shot. He is regarded as one of the most promising young prospects of world football along the same lines of Messi or Bojan.

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World Cup favourites Brazil

2010-03-07T07:13:00.001-08:00

THERE was a moment in the second half of Brazil’s game against the Republic of Ireland, at the Emirates stadium on Tuesday, that showed what the team have become under their pragmatic coach Dunga. By then, Brazil were in control and when centre-back Juan won another challenge with Kevin Doyle, it seemed nothing more than a routine moment.

In challenging for possession Doyle lost a boot and after the ball had been cleared, he turned to retrieve it. Juan noticed the forlorn footwear and smashed it out into touch. Doyle couldn’t quite believe what he had seen.

Dunga’s Brazil are strong and committed, they work hard and defend well. As Juan crassly reminded us, making friends is not a priority. He took as much notice of Doyle’s annoyance as the coach did of the fan with the ‘Dunga, why not Ronaldinho?’ banner. They aim to win.

The feeling is that Dunga won’t take Ronaldinho to the World Cup, preferring the team-orientated creator, Kaka, and Dunga is in a Brazilian minority that believes a team can have too much creativity. Not only Ronaldinho but even Pato and Diego may not make Dunga’s World Cup squad. Brazil are not overloaded with brilliance but in Dunga’s scheme, the more prosaic qualities are valued.

They were well matched by the Republic in the first half but once the Irish began to tire, Brazil’s strength and skill began to tell and a two-goal victory could have been four or five.

With Spain, Brazil deserve to be World Cup favourites. What is certain is that they will be a very difficult side to beat. Equally certain is that Dunga’s way will not meet with unanimous approval, certainly not in his home country.

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World Cup Shirts to Be Made Out of Recycled Plastic Bottles

2010-02-26T16:06:00.000-08:00

The best way to highlight your company's environmental commitments is to bring them into the spotlight. We're guessing that's the motive behind Nike's move to make this summer's World Cup shirts out of recycled plastic bottles. The shirts will be worn by all nine Nike-sponsored teams, including England, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

Nike's bottles-to-T-shirts operation is fairly straightforward. Recycled polyester comes from a Taiwanese supplier that cuts up, melts, and spins plastic bottles into a yarn for the shirts. Each shirt will consist of 100% recycled polyester and approximately eight plastic bottles. The shirts are slightly more expensive to produce than standard jerseys, but Nike claims that the costs ultimately even out because less material is needed for production. And on the outside, players and fans won't be able to tell the difference between the bottle-filled jerseys and the regular polyester shirts worn by non-Nike teams.

Environmentally savvy soccer lovers will also have the chance to check out Nike's shirts--the brand is using 13 million plastic bottles to produce jerseys for fans. All in all, Nike's initiative will stop 254,000 kg of polyester waste from being dumped in landfills.

Nike isn't the only company to manufacture shirts out of plastic bottles. Coca-Cola's Drink2Wear shirts are also made out of recycled bottles, and Patagonia started manufacturing fleece out of post-consumer bottles in 1993 with little fanfare. But by featuring the technology at sporting events watched by millions, Nike is letting the world know that the technology is worth our attention.

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Brazil's Alexandre Pato Banking on Milan Performances to Alert Dunga

2010-02-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

Only time will tell if his performance against Manchester United will have persuaded Dunga he is ripe for a comeback but Ronaldinho wasn't the only Brazilian in the Milan side hoping for a World Cup lifeline.

Alexandre Pato, another third of Milan's three-man attack in the first leg of their Champions League meeting in the San Siro, is also hoping for a plane ticket to South Africa.

The 20-year-old is enduring an injury-prone season and at one stage his club ordered dental treatment in a bid to solve the muscle problems that had kept him on the sidelines for two months.

"'Dinho and myself are here to play for Milan but a possible call-up to the national side depends on how we play in the red and black shirts," he admitted.

"If I play well with Milan, especially in the big games, then I can hope for a call up to the national team. I want to do my best for Milan and win things with this team but I also want to get back into the national team. It has always been my aim."

Pato's fitness problems meant he did not feature in the 22-man squad called up for next month's London friendly with the Republic of Ireland.

And that will be especially poignant for him as Arsenal's Emirates Stadium was where he made his senior debut, against Sweden in March 2008. He did so in some style too, needing just a few seconds to mark it with a goal, just as Pele had more than 50 years previously.

Another Italian-based player who was also left disappointed by Dunga's selection policy was Diego, the Juventus midfielder, but he too is reluctant to give up on the dream.

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World Cup Kaká and Brazil

2010-02-21T07:47:00.001-08:00

Five-time winners will face a tough start to their 2010 World Cup campaign against Portugal and Ivory Coast

Is this an omen of sorts? Brazil, the five-times winners of the World Cup, will start their 2010 finals campaign at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, where the historic climax of the Rugby World Cup took place in 1995. Back then, it was South Africa's most imposing stadium. Next summer it will probably be overshadowed by a new generation of spectacular purpose-built or reconditioned arenas, but it seems an appropriate location for the heirs of Pelé, Jairzinho, Romario, Ronaldo and the rest to begin their challenge.

Brazil may need all the omens they can get, since they occupy the closest thing in the 2010 draw to a group of death, but they may count themselves fortunate to be kicking off with a match against North Korea, whose only previous appearance in the finals came in 1966, when they achieved a stunning elimination of Italy in their final group game before making a quarter-final exit after losing 5-3 to Eusébio's Portugal.

Next for Brazil in Group G come Ivory Coast, complete with Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and YaYa and Kolo Touré, on paper the strongest of the African contenders, full of experience at the highest level of European club football and certain to be highly motivated by the thought of carrying the flag for the host continent. And finally Brazil will meet Portugal, who only scraped into the finals by way of the play-offs but, barring further injuries, will have Cristiano Ronaldo back in the team and, despite the question marks over Carlos Queiroz's qualities as a head coach, will be pushing hard for a place in the last 16.

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Madrid offer €63 million for Pato

2010-01-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Real Madrid are reportedly ready to put in a €63 Million bid for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato.

According to reports in La Repubblica, Madrid have singled out Pato as a top transfer target with Manuel Pellegrini keen to boost his attacking options to challenge for honours on all fronts.

Milan have already indicated that they are not interested in selling their young star, but this represents a similar scenario to Kaka's situation when Madrid came calling.

Pato moved to Milan in 2007 and is widely regarded as one of the upcoming superstars of the sport.

Nicknamed ‘The Duck', Pato was instrumental in helping Leonardo's side to a stunning 3-2 Champions League victory against his suitors at the Bernabeu earlier in the season.

Madrid currently have Raul, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain in attack but Pellegrini seems adamant that he needs an additional option.

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Ronaldinho Named 'Player Of The Decade' By World Soccer Magazine

2009-12-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

World Soccer magazine named Brazil forward Ronaldinho as 'Player of the Decade' on Thursday. The World Player of the Year was awarded to Lionel Messi of Barca.

Ronaldinho emerged as winner after 10 annual votes between 2000 and 2009 by the readers were converted into points. The Brazilian has been already named ‘World Player of the Year’ in 2004 and 2005.He again tops the footballer list followed by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid.

The European club champions Barcelona were named the Team of the Year.The 2009 Ballon D'Or award winner Messi is the first Argentine to win the prestigious World Soccer's World Player award since Diego Maradona in 1986.

Pep Guardiola who has had just a season with Barcelona was voted Manager of the Year. He left behind Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath and Manchester United's Alex Ferguson.

http://www.india-server.com/news/ronaldinho-named-player-of-the-decade-17677.html

Snubbed Brazil Star Pato Grabs Brace For AC Milan In Friendly

2009-11-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

The attacking starlet continued his good run of form.

Nov 13, 2009 5:15:55 PM

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Alexandre Pato - Milan (Getty Images)

AC Milan have had a resurgent last month or so, as they have seen themselves climb from mid-table mediocrity all the way to third place, where they sit just two points behind Juventus.

One of their stars this season has undoubtedly been Alexandre Pato, a man who has scored eight times in all competitions, including a stunning brace at the Santiago Bernabeu, to lead his side to a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The youngster was recently snubbed from Dunga’s Brazilian national team for their upcoming friendlies against England and Oman.

Nevertheless, the 20-year-old has made the most of his omission in a friendly match that Milan played against a local club.

The Milanese giants won 2-0, thanks to a brace from Pato, who grabbed a goal within the first minute of play, and then another midway through the first half.

Meanwhile, Alessandro Nesta was rested from the clash, after having nasal surgery, whilst Dida held his place in between the sticks. Pippo Inzaghi was at his best, however despite hitting the post on a couple of occasions, he failed to score.

Milan are unbeaten in their past eight outings in all competitions, and they will be confident of continuing this impressive run when they meet Cagliari at San Siro after the international break.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/11/13/1623498/snubbed-brazil-star-pato-grabs-brace-for-ac-milan-in

England to face Brazil on Saturday

2009-11-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

Two of the world’s best soccer sides, England and Brazil, will face each other in an international friendly this weekend from Qatar as they continue their individual preparations for next summer’s World Cup.

England coach Fabio Capello has made a point of testing his team against World Cup contenders such as Spain, Germany and The Netherlands over the past year and this latest match will take place at the 50,000-seat Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Saturday evening.

The last time England played Brazil was to celebrate the opening of the new Wembley Stadium in June of 2007 and the teams drew with one goal apiece. However, the bookmakers are slightly favouring Brazil this time out with SportingBet.com offering punters odds of 21/20 on the South Americans emerging triumphant.

Slightly longer, VictorChandler.com, 888Sport.com, Bet365.com, ToteSport.com, BlueSq.com, Ladbrokes.com and ExtraBet.com currently show odds of 11/10 for Brazil while BetFred.com is going with 6/5 alongside Expekt.com, StanJames.com and Coral.co.uk.

As both teams have already qualified for next summer’s action, there could be quite a bit of squad experimentation. Even so, WBX.com is offering Brazil at odds of 21/17 while PaddyPower.com and SkyBet.com show 5/4 followed by Betfair.com with 24/19 and BetDaq.com with 14/11.

England is currently third favourite to win the 2010 World Cup at odds of 6/1 with BetFred.com, SkyBet.com and Ladbrokes.com. This is behind Brazil and Spain at 9/2 and a defeat this weekend for either team could see those odds lengthen considerably.

SkyBet.com and Coral.co.uk are offering England at odds of 7/4 to win against Brazil while BetFred.com is going with 15/8. Punters can get 19/10 from BoyleSports.com while Ladbrokes.com, WilliamHill.com, ToteSport.com and StanJames.com currently list 2/1.

Not entirely bad, PaddyPower.com and Expekt.com show England at odds of 21/10 while Bet365.com, VictorChandler.com, BlueSq.com 888Sport.com and ExtraBet.com have 11/5 followed by SportingBet.com with 9/4.

Considering Brazil’s past pedigree, a draw could almost be seen as a win for England.

http://www.onlinecasinonews.com/ocnv2_1/article/article.asp?id=22390

Brazil Sambas Into Olympian Joys, Challenges

2009-10-14T18:17:00.000-07:00

It’s time to develop a taste for caipirinhas, Brazil’s national cocktail, and to learn how to samba. Unless you are an Olympic athlete, that’s most of what you need to know to prepare for the 2016 Olympic Games, which on Friday were awarded to Rio de Janeiro.

For the first time, the International Olympic Committee has chosen a South American city to host the Olympics.

Rio’s victory over richer, more developed places -- Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid -- continues a welcome trend of acknowledging the growing importance of developing countries. The World Cup next year will be hosted by South Africa and in 2014 it will be held in Brazil.

The IOC’s choice sent an emotional jolt through the country. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s charismatic president who enjoys an 81 percent approval rating and who worked hard to support Rio’s bid, cried when the vote was announced. Some 30,000 people celebrated on Copacabana Beach.

The games present a tremendous opportunity for Brazil. The Olympics will give Brazilians a huge shot of self-confidence and boost the country’s tourism industry and Rio’s public transportation system. It’s also an opportunity to counter the violent imagery of drug lords, gang murders and grinding poverty realistically captured in films such as “City of God” (2002). Those scenes have replaced postcard images of beaches and mountains that used to seduce people around the world.

Military Maneuvers

It would be a mistake to skip a trip to the 2016 Games due to concerns about safety. Rio has hosted large international gatherings such as the 1992 Earth Summit and the 2007 Pan American Games. When the world’s attention is on them, Brazilians don’t take chances. During these types of events, law enforcement is shifted from the local police, who don’t exactly enjoy a reputation for moral rectitude.

Instead, Brazil’s military runs security, sporting assault weapons and tanks. If you think Rio’s drug kingpins are crazy enough to conduct business as usual under those conditions, think again.

It’s worth noting also that Rio hasn’t been subject to terrorist attacks like those that sadly hit Madrid and London, where the 2012 Olympics will be held.

Challenges Abound

The greatest challenge for Rio and Brazil probably isn’t the Olympics itself, but its aftermath. Is the country capable of doing anything to improve the life of millions of slum kids living in Rio’s favelas, which climb the mountainsides just blocks away from fashionable neighborhoods like Ipanema? Besides making a few extra bucks by juggling tennis balls at busy intersections, will their lives change dramatically because of this event? Probably not.

Regardless of which city hosts the Olympics, some things are certain.

The event will cost three times more than originally budgeted. The estimated cost of the 2016 games is 25.9 billion reais ($14.5 billion). Still, lack of money won’t be an issue. Brazil’s monetary authority can simply print more money if necessary. That’s no different from what the world’s developed nations are doing.

Architectural white elephants will dot the landscape. Stadiums, gymnasiums, cycling centers, athlete dorms and so much more infrastructure will be little-used eyesores as soon as the closing ceremony concludes.

Athletes may take home medals, but politicians and politically connected business people are the ones who really achieve success at any Olympics.

Collective Society

Finally, don’t expect Brazil to experience a home court advantage and win buckets of gold medals.

Brazilians aren’t a greedy bunch and they are always happy to please foreigners.

Medal counts tend to favor individual performances, like the ones U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps gave on his way to winning a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

Brazil is too much of a collective society to cultivate stars who excel as lone performers in events like swimming and gymnastics. Brazil’s strengths are team sports like soccer, volleyball and basketball.

It is rare to see a Brazilian athlete turn to the camera, pound his chest and say he’s competing to win gold, such as swimmer Cesar Cielo Filho did before breaking the world record in the 100-meter freestyle last July in Rome. Perhaps Cielo will teach other Brazilian athletes, especially those who don’t have the opportunity to practice in the U.S. as he does, to do the same.

That might be the most important legacy of Rio’s 2016 party.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aa0KLdK_V0Xg

To contact the writer of this column: Alexandre Marinis in Sao Paulo at amarinis1@bloomberg.net

Sport spectaculars could also draw investors to Brazil

2009-10-11T11:25:00.000-07:00

Emerging markets are not everyone's cup of tea. There's something to be said for staying at home and investing in companies that matter in our everyday lives. It's a safe and steady approach and investment managers have a hard time advising their clients otherwise.

That's understandable. It takes a certain type to place their money abroad, someone a little adventurous, I suspect, who is looking for the big score, and is prepared to accept the risk that comes with an overseas market in a different time zone, on another continent, with an unfamiliar currency, where anything from an overnight military coup (think Honduras), political instability (think Romania), or a scam (think Bre-X) can wipe out their investment while they're asleep. Definitely not something you want to wake up to.

Most Canadian investors prefer to seek out multinational corporations closer to home in Manhattan. Over the long term, America's corporates have delivered the goods with the nastiest surprise occasionally coming from a surging Canadian dollar that bites into dividends.

When overseas interest has beckoned, it generally focuses on a diversified mutual fund, heavy with European or Japanese names. South America seldom gets a look.

That changed last week when Rio de Janeiro was awarded the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Coming on the heels of Brazil being awarded the 2014 FIFA World Cup of soccer, investment managers were left furiously speculating how beneficial the world's two biggest sporting events two years apart could be for the country's economy.

For the longest time, Brazil, resource-rich, and a major exporter of metals, minerals and commodities, with vast offshore oil reserves in which it is investing $150 billion, has been viewed as the country of the future. With a population of 190 million, it is now a centrist-based consumer society that is being driven by higher income levels and easier access to credit.

Bank of America-Merrill Lynch chief economist Virgilio Castro Cunha offers a rosy outlook. He estimates corporate earnings growth will jump 26 per cent next year, driven by robust domestic activity and a soft recovery on commodity and volume prices. He has raised his 2010 growth forecast to 5.3 per cent from 4.5 per cent.

The Bovespa stock index, based in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian equivalent of the S&P/TSX composite index, has about 60 listed companies and is the largest capitalized stock market in Latin America.

The index is trading at a 15-month high and is the best performing index in the world this year with a return of 67 per cent.

Factor in the strength of the currency, the real, and the return for a Canadian investor is closer to 100 per cent, so investing in Brazil may not be such a nutty idea, after all.

Brazil is the "B" in the BRIC group with Russia, India and China, considered to be the fastest growing developing economies, and there are mutual funds, such as the Templeton BRIC Corporate Class Fund, that serve this market.

"When it comes to growth and investment value, Brazil has become the BRIC's ignored fourth wheel," says Danny Furman on the investment site SeekingAlpha. com.

"Russia has ridden the oil roller coaster and most studious emerging market investors have focused on China's huge stimulus package and increased consumption as well as India's political shift. Brazil is assumed to have garnered equal attention, given the country's acronym leading position, but volume and price simply don't agree.

"Brazil's economy, from all indications, might be the best poised in the world. Bank balance sheets are relatively clean and consumption is at an all- time high in what has traditionally been an export-reliant economy. Power and water usage are up and favourable trade terms with China are apparent."

In fact, China has supplanted the U.S. as Brazil's biggest trading partner.

For Canadians, American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) that trade on the New York Stock Exchange offer the most immediate hands-on investment. There are about 35 ADRs and most of them are internationally recognized names. They include steelmaker Gerdau S.A. (GGB), mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (VALE), state-controlled oil and gas company Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., better known as Petrobras (PBR), giant soft drink distributor Companhia de Bebidas das Americas, known as Ambev (ABV), Cosan, an independent ethanol producer (CZZ), Brasil Telecom (BTM) and Bombardier rival Embraer (ERJ).

The iShares Brazil Index ETF (EWZ) that tracks the Bovespa offers diversification. Units that last November dropped to a 52-week low of $26.64 US have surged to $69 US, an increase of 159 per cent.

That doesn't surprise Castro Cunha.

"Brazil is trading at a 14-per-cent discount to global equities on consensus industry-adjusted 12-month forward, price-earnings (P/E) multiples," he points out. "Higher perceived sustainable growth should encourage investors - it is trading at six-per-cent and three-per-cent discount to China and India, respectively, based on consensus-forward price-earnings (P/E) ratios."

What portion of one's portfolio should be placed outside Canada? Clearly this depends on an individual's risk tolerance, but investment firm Edward Jones recommends between 25 per cent and 35 per cent.

"In our view, global mutual funds with broad exposure to developed and emerging equity markets are a good choice since they have the flexibility to select investments that remain undervalued and to shift their holdings in response to changing opportunities," it says.

http://www.canada.com/Sport+spectaculars+could+also+draw+investors+Brazil/2086801/story.html

Brazil’s 2016 Olympic Bid Gets Presidential Push

2009-09-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

The easiest job in the world belongs to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as he supports Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympics.

All da Silva has to do is say “Rio has the most beautiful beaches in the world,” and he has an instant audience.

He made this simple statement Tuesday in throaty Portuguese, with English translation, and right away I was picturing the long foamy waves and Corcovado in the background and, well, all right, I was also picturing “The Girl From Ipanema.”

In a week or so, da Silva will fly to Copenhagen for the Oct. 2 vote by the International Olympic Committee that will decide from among Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid and Rio. He will undoubtedly mention beaches. But he will also push his other talking points: Brazil is an emerging economic giant and it deserves to represent South America, which has never hosted the Olympics.

A union man, a former lathe worker, da Silva talks with passion about poor kids from Brazil or Argentina or Colombia who could “hop on a bus or a truck” to see the Games. It is not clear that any of the 106 voting members of the I.O.C. will care about this populist sentiment.

In New York to visit the United Nations on his way to Pittsburgh for the G-20 economic summit on Thursday and Friday, da Silva will then go to Copenhagen. He is following in the path of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who flew to Singapore in 2005 and chatted up I.O.C. members, apparently so successfully that London was chosen for 2012.

And then there was Vladimir V. Putin, who as Russia’s president traveled to Guatemala City in 2007 and turned on his K.G.B. charm until the city of Sochi was chosen to hold the 2014 Winter Games.

After those two missions, the folk wisdom is that it does not hurt to have a head of state work the room before the members take their secret vote.

“I have information on how London won,” da Silva said. “And yes, Blair talked to a lot of people.” Sebastian Coe, the head of the London organizing committee and a gold-medal runner, is also said to have turned a few delegates as London stunned Paris to win the vote for 2012. But the point was made: schmoozing just might work.

With that in mind, Japan’s new Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, is considering traveling to Copenhagen and King Juan Carlos of Spain is expected to attend. But President Obama has said he is not going.

“I would make a case in Copenhagen personally if I was not so firmly committed into making real the promise of quality affordable health care for every American,” Obama said recently, adding, “But the good news is I am sending a more compelling superstar to represent the city and country we love and that is our first lady.”

Asked if it was helpful for a head of state to attend the meeting, da Silva volunteered that he has been talking to I.O.C. members for two years. When somebody noted that Michelle Obama would represent the United States in Copenhagen, da Silva said he was bringing his wife with him, “so it will be two against one.”

More damaging than the absence of President Obama is the reality that the acting chief executive officer of the United States Olympic Committee, Stephanie A. Streeter, and the president, Larry Probst, have relatively little standing in the I.O.C., which is known for clubbiness and contacts.

The I.O.C. president, Jacques Rogge, has said, rather ominously, that disputes with the U.S.O.C. about revenue sharing and a proposed Olympic network in the United States will have “no negative effects whatsoever” on Chicago’s chances. The generally attractive plan by the great city of Chicago could be offset because some I.O.C. members are still unhappy over losing their perks in bid cities after revelations that favors helped bring the 1996 Summer Games to Atlanta and the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City.

All four finalist cities for 2016 received good reports by the bid committee earlier this month. The strongest criticism of Rio mentioned violence, but da Silva said Brazil had not suffered an overt terrorist attack, and he told how poor youth from Brazil’s slums had helped quell robberies during recent sports events.

Speaking to invited representatives of about a dozen news outlets, da Silva made the point that Brazil has the largest economy of any nation that has not yet held the Summer Games. He stressed the development of oil fields off the Brazil coast and the nation’s aircraft industry.

“We’re not this tiny country people thought,” he said.

He noted that Brazil will be the host for the World Cup of soccer in 2014, and said infrastructure would be created for the tournament that would be useful in 2016. But the best infrastructure of all might be the sand and the waves.

Wait a minute: the 2016 Summer Games will be in August, which just happens to be late winter south of the Equator. However, a check of the weather for Rio in August revealed an average high of 76 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low 64 (24 to 18 centigrade). Very nice for walking on the beach, somebody from the bid committee reassured me. No doubt da Silva will mention this to the I.O.C. members.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/sports/23vecsey.html?_r=1

Global Soccer: Academy for Brazilians on the Fields of Italy

2009-08-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

Before a ball was kicked in the Serie A season, the national coach, Marcello Lippi, expressed the wish that the Italian league would make the world sit up and notice its quality before the World Cup in 2010.

Maybe it will. But it might not be the Italians doing it.

The eye-catching performances in AC Milan’s 2-1 victory in Siena on Saturday night were Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho in the attack and Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva in defense. Three of the four are Brazilians who are hoping the Italian league makes their national coach, Carlos Dunga, sit up and notice them.

The other, certainly, is pure Italian, Roman in fact. But Nesta, classy defender though he could once claim to be, is 33 and coming back gingerly from a back injury that many feared might finish his career.

In the hot and humid late summer Tuscan night, the dovetailing of Nesta and Thiago was exactly what Milan needed after the retirement of the club captain, Paolo Maldini.

“Thiago helps him, Nesta guides him,” Leonardo, the new Milan coach, said on television after the game. “They complete each other.

“Sandro had the possibility of not playing anymore. This gave him an incredible motivation to return the same player as before.”

Thiago, almost a decade younger, tall and strong but also quick because he started his career as a winger with Fluminense, is, of course, a Brazilian, like his new coach.

Before Saturday, Leonardo had never coached in competitive sports. Now he is entrusted by Silvio Berlusconi, Milan’s president and Italy’s prime minister, to take care of his team. A player at the highest level, a World Cup winner with Brazil, but, before this summer, more of an aide, a talent scout to the president, Leonardo has replaced Carlo Ancelotti who had five years as a Milan player and eight as its coach.

The first player Ancelotti tried to take with him when he decamped to Chelsea in June was Milan’s “baby,” another Brazilian, Pato. Ancelotti had called Pato a phenomenon of youth — swift, with a powerful shot, superb balance and, something that nobody can coach, that extra sense of where the goals are.

Berlusconi said yes to selling Kaká, his Brazilian playmaker, to Real Madrid soon after Ancelotti left. He said no, at any price, to letting Pato go.

Those who have followed this remarkable youngster can sense why. But he looks a youth no longer. His birth certificate says he was born in Pato Branco, in the south of Brazil, 19 years ago, but the growth of beard, the possibly still-growing stature, the sometimes almost calloused expression, makes him a man before his time.

Pato, whose real name is Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, slipped back to Brazil to marry the actress Sthefany Brito last month. Their honeymoon was short; Milan, like many a top European club, had scheduled a summer tour to make dollars in the United States.

It had lost eight out of 10 matches leading up to the Serie A start on Saturday. Leonardo claimed he was little troubled by that because he had seen the form and the pride being primed by his players for the real thing.

“I’m in the role now of thinking about others’ emotions, not mine,” said the coach. “My rapport with Berlusconi is very good. Berlusconi is in love with Ronaldinho. He thinks he has a pearl at home that needs to be used at its best.

“I have known Ronaldinho forever. I know his story, I played for years with his brother, I’m Brazilian. With Ronaldinho, it’s now or never with Milan and with the national team. Pato is an incredible talent who must affirm himself in the national team. I think they and Thiago will soon return to Brazil’s lineup.”

They are not on the squad named for the Sept. 5 crunch qualifying match in Rosario, Argentina. But five Serie A players are on the squad, as are Kaká and Adriano, who recently left AC Milan and Inter. As Lippi wished, the Italian league is being noticed, if only as a major part of a Brazilian renaissance.

What illuminated the tough opening fixture in Siena on Saturday was hugely Brazilian. Ronaldinho, pulling the strings of imagination behind the running of Pato and Marco Borriello, has some way to go to recapture the magical Ronaldinho of three or four seasons ago with Barcelona.

But little by little, the passes of Ronaldinho, the timing, the spontaneity split Siena’s rugged, he-man back line. There were men there who tried to kick Pato from the thighs down, but Ronaldinho knew where to put the ball, in places where those pack dogs would not snap at the younger Brazilian.

Each goal that Pato scored and at least four other chances emanated from Ronaldinho’s exact passes and Pato’s intuitive running. Add to that Borriello’s willingness to be the selfless foil and the pace of Marek Jankulovski down the left, and the two goals might well have been five.

Milan, despite six players missing through injury and its new striker, Klass-Jan Huntelaar, suspended, did just enough to win. Siena leveled after Pato’s first goal, but never looked likely to do so twice.

Pato turns 20 next month. He was sadly, almost comically, pursued by a pack of Siena players angry with him for teasing and wasting time at the end — but Pato has been upsetting older players since he was 3.

That is when he was spotted, and he then played futsal, indoor soccer. By 11 he had moved in with 83 boys and youths in the training academy of Internacional in Porto Alegre. After 10 games for that club, Pato, then 17, was sold to Milan.

Italy has been preparing him for Brazil ever since.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/24/sports/soccer/24iht-SOCCER.html

Brazil: Brazil is always Brazil

2009-08-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

The five-time world champions may have improved to 10-1 this year, but their 1-0 victory against Estonia on Wednesday in Tallinn wasn't pretty. The Seleção couldn't find its form, and even if it was its first match since winning the Confederations Cup in June, the best team in the world was expected to do a whole lot better against the 112th-ranked team, which last year was thumped 7-0 by Bosnia-Herzegovina in a World Cup qualifier.

But is this worrisome for Brazil ahead of the clash with archrival Argentina on Sept. 5? Not at all. The majority of the Brazil squad played few competitive matches since the vacations, and this was clearly noticeable on the field. For instance, Kaká just made his Real Madrid debut in a friendly win against MLS' Toronto FC last Friday, and is nowhere near full fitness.

Brazil coach Dunga said his "only concern" was avoiding injuries against the Northern Europeans, but the match was hotly contested, with both teams playing physical soccer and with no Joga Bonito in sight. The only Brazilian to come off seriously injured was Flamengo midfielder Kléberson, who dislocated his shoulder. But such a fiery encounter might have been good preparation for the Brazilians because, with World Cup spots at stake, the highly anticipated showdown with Argentina promises to include even more aggressive play.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/gregory_sica/08/13/south.america.qualifying/

AC Milan deny Pato offer from Chelsea

2009-08-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

AC Milan have dismissed a newspaper report suggesting that Chelsea had agreed a deal to sign Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato.

The 19-year-old rising star has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge since former Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti was confirmed as the new Blues manager earlier in the summer.

One newspaper report claimed that Ancelotti had agreed a £45m fee with his former club but would allow the teenager to spend the next season on loan in Italy ahead of moving to England in 12 months' time.

However, Milan claim the story is completely without foundation and have reiterated their previous claim that Pato is not for sale at any price.

"With regards to the rumours circulated this morning by the English press, AC Milan clarify and reaffirm that there are no negotiations ongoing with Chelsea regarding Alexandre Pato, and that the player is absolutely non transferable," read a club statement.

Pato scored 15 goals in 36 Serie A appearances last season and is regarded as one of the brightest talents in world football.

Meanwhile, striker Luis Fabiano insists he is fully focused on Sevilla despite seeing his dream move to AC Milan fall through.

The Brazil international was expected to join the Italian giants last month before Milan decided to pull the plug on the deal when they were unable to agree a fee with their Spanish counterparts.

The Rossoneri then turned their attention to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and swiftly wrapped up the signing of the Netherlands striker from Real Madrid.

"I'm not thinking about Milan," claimed Fabiano. "They made an offer, but I was always calm and thinking about Sevilla.

"I have been training for several weeks and I'm not yet at 100 per cent so that's what I'm concentrating on now, continuing working with Sevilla to start the season well.

"Everything's forgotten, I'm only thinking about Sevilla."

Elsewhere, Lazio beat Internazionale 2-1 in the final of the Supercoppa Italiana in Beijing's National Stadium on Saturday night, but despite the defeat coach Jose Mourinho was happy with his side's efforts.

Brazilian Francelino Matuzalem opened the scoring for Lazio before Tommaso Rocchi scored with a spectacular lob.

New signing Samuel Eto'o reduced the deficit with his first goal for the Nerazzuri with 12 minutes to go.

"We lost. What can I say?" said Mourinho. "I am not happy, but I liked it that my players showed character and fought until the end to win.

"I am very satisfied with the match, although not with the result, we should have won by two goals at least."

On the contrary, Lazio president Claudio Lotito was buoyed by his team's success.

He said: "I'm very satisfied with my team's performance.

"I consider it a victory of the group, not just the team."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ac-milan-deny-pato-offer-from-chelsea-1770110.html

Obama Lobbies FIFA for U.S. to Host Soccer World Cup

2009-07-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama lobbied the head of soccer’s international governing body today to bring the World Cup to the U.S. during a meeting at the White House.

The president also received a personal invitation from Sepp Blatter, head of world governing body FIFA, to attend next year’s tournament in South Africa, a trip in which Obama has expressed interest, according to a White House statement.

“We’ll use the opportunity of the meeting to advocate for the United States to host the World Cup in either 2018, or 2022,” Josh Earnest, deputy White House press secretary, said before the discussion between Obama and Blatter.

The international tournament is held every four years. The host for the 2014 World Cup will be Brazil. Blatter said in an interview yesterday that he expects a “big fight” over the chance to host the next championship.

At last month’s G-8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy, Obama said it was his “goal” to travel to South Africa next June to attend the World Cup.

According to details today’s meeting released by the White House, Obama thanked Blatter for the invitation to the World Cup and for a gift of soccer balls for the president’s two daughters.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said no final decision has been made about Obama attending the World Cup, though he suggested that many of the president’s senior staff want him to make the trip.

“Scheduling has warned me against accepting unilaterally invitations to visit South Africa,” Gibbs said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=amSIiXAydsOM#

Fourth of July puts US Soccer in perspective

2009-07-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

I spent one glorious summer in Rio de Janeiro many years ago. While still in graduate school, I was fortunate enough to have been awarded a scholarship to study Portuguese overseas. Mine was the typical exchange program where you live with a host family and take classes at a local university. Technically, I was there to conduct thesis research, and I did, as most of the summer was spent ‘familiarizing myself’ with Brazilian culture.

My timing could not have been more perfect. The year was 1994 and the country was smack dab in the middle of World Cup fever. As most of us know, Brazilians eat, sleep and breathe soccer. The game is so ingrained into their culture that at certain times of the year, nothing else matters. Not the economy, not poverty, not pollution. Soccer unites their nation.

Packers, Eagles and Giants fans? Do you think you’re religious about your team? Guess again. You Gator, Sooner, Buckeye and Notre Dame fans out there think you hold a candle? Nuh uh. The entire nation of Brazil gathers together when World Cup rolls around. I was lucky enough to experience that first hand.

One day I accosted a group of four beautiful Brazilian women chatting energetically while drinking beers at a beachside bar. Consider it the Brazilian version of ‘Sex and the City.’ The foursome was engaged in an in-depth conversation, about soccer. Where in the United States would you ever see that?

To further put things into perspective, the Horseshoe in Columbus, OH fits 102,000 screaming fans. Neyland Stadium in Knoxville seats 105,000. Michigan Stadium holds 108,000. While in Rio, I saw a regional soccer game at Estadio do Maracana. Maximum capacity 200,000! Brazil is scheduled to host the 2014 World Cup. Think they’ll have a home field advantage?

Prior to every World Cup game that summer, I was warned to have all beer, food and party accessories ready ahead of time for everything in Rio shut down at first kick. I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. During a match, there was not a storefront open or a vehicle on the street. Good luck finding a taxi.

The entire country gathered in their living rooms with family and friends with ice cold Brahma and feijao aplenty, remaining glued to the set for the entire game. These are not your fair-weather fans. When Brazil scored a goal, the city erupted. Shouts of pleasure echoed through the windows. Celebration ensued with each victory.

The United States hosted the World Cup that year. Ironically, Brazil played the U.S. on July 4th. I remember that date specifically because my host family threatened to kick me out of their apartment if the U.S. pulled off the upset. Needless to say, I was rooting for Brazil.

That 1994 Brazil team featured all-time greats: Romario, Bebeto, Taffarel and an 18-year old named Ronaldo. Taffarel, the goalie, consistently received the harshest criticism from both media and fans. That was until he blocked Italy’s game-tying goal in penalty kicks to bring home the title. He immediately became a national hero.

When it comes to World Cup history, Brazil dominates nearly every statistic: championships won, games won, goals scored. Every other country is a distant second. Soccer in the U.S. can never reach the importance it garners in Brazil or in other areas of the world. It’s ingrained and generational. Even though we all play soccer as children, most of us switch to another sport we’re more interested in like baseball, basketball or football.

For whatever reason, most Americans don’t have a passion for soccer. Not enough scoring, no viable professional league, the inability to use one’s hands, whatever the reason. We just don’t have the appetite for it no matter how hard US Soccer tries to encourage us to pay attention.

That was until last week when the U.S. almost pulled off an upset of international proportions. In the final game of the FIFA Federations Cup, the US led Brazil 2-0 at halftime. David was inconceivably about to slay Goliath. Then the Brazilian juggernaut scored three goals in the second half to squash any hopes the US had for winning its first major international competition.

I found myself once again glued to the television as if it were 1994 revisited. It was refreshing to see others interested in the match as well. I watched the first half while exercising on an elliptical machine at my local YMCA. When Landon Donovan scored the second goal of the game, I heard a few random shouts from within the gym over my blaring iPod. Not bad. Now just imagine how Brazil was rocking when they took the lead for good.

US Soccer put forth a valiant effort in their tune-up for next summer’s World Cup. They turned a lot of heads and more fans will assuredly be watching. It’s unreasonable to expect them to equal their recent success but at least now this team won’t be overlooked.

Late one night back in 1994, the Brazilian team announced they would host a parade. The Cariocan (those from Rio) players would be bringing the trophy around for all to see. We stayed up all night celebrating the victory as fans played a variety of percussive instruments. The beats were infectious. Fans rushed the parading buses with players waving from atop as the parade route ran through Copacabana and Ipanema.

It’ll be a long time coming before the United States ever brings one of those home. Do you think we’ll even notice?

http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/07/06/fourth-of-july-puts-us-soccer-in-perspective/

Pato is being picked on

2009-04-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has demanded that referees give more protection to star teenage striker Pato.

Milan have been complaining in recent weeks that Pato is being targetted by defenders and Galliani is worried for the Brazilian.

"He is being scientifically targetted the moment he steps on the pitch with the hope that, given that he is young, he will become a peripheral figure, something that happens on occasions," complained Galliani.

"Defenders have always kicked forwards but the treatment dealt out to Pato is a little excessive.

"But it's up to the referees to see if things are legal or not. Referees shouldn't protect anyone but they have to put the brakes on violent play and I hope they'll do so in the next match."

Milan, who host lowly Torino on Sunday, sit third in Serie A, just two points behind second-placed Juventus and four ahead of Genoa in fourth.

With leaders Inter Milan 12 points ahead of them, Milan's aim is merely to finish in the top three and ensure they qualify directly for the group stages of next season's Champions League.

Even so, the feeling in the San Siro is that second place is a real possibility.

"I don't like to make predictions, Juve have two points more than us but behind us there are Genoa, who are playing really well, and of course Fiorentina, we'll see what happens but it will be difficult (to claim second place)," added Galliani.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gmj4qXJ-CsoOjr77k5Sp81ggvLxA

Pato Sure Kaka And Ancelotti Will Remain At Milan

2009-04-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

The Rossoneri starlet is fairly certain that his fellow countryman and coach will both remain at the club.

Apr 8, 2009 7:39:40 PM

Kaka-Ronaldinho-Pato Torino-Milan Serie A (Grazia Neri)

Milan are currently well-positioned in the league in third place and are looking extremely likely to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, after missing out to Fiorentina this term.

With their season all but over, much of the news coming from the Rossoneri camp of late has centred on transfer news, mainly concerning Kaka and coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Both have been linked with moves away from the club at the conclusion of the season, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea linked as possible destinations. Despite this, the club’s top scorer this season, Alexandre Pato, believes that both the trainer and the Brazilian playmaker will remain with the club next term.

“In January I was very scared with everything I read in the newspapers about the possible departure of Kaka,” Pato admitted in an interview with Milan Studio Sport.

“He made the right choice in deciding to stay here though, as this is, and will always be, his home. With him by my side I can learn so many things, and hopefully become a great player too.

“Ancelotti is another who always helps me, both in matches and in training. With this in mind, I will not be happy if he leaves either, and I don’t think he will, as he has a close bond with the club.”

The 19-year-old star went on to discuss his international future with Brazil, and the recent dramas surrounding his snub from Dunga’s starting line-up despite his outstanding form with Milan.

He said, “I am very happy to be called up to the Brazilian national team, so I do respect all those who stand before me in Dunga’s eyes.

“I will keep working hard, and do my best to ensure that in eighteen months time I am at the World Cup in South Africa.”

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/86/italy/2009/04/09/1199666/pato-sure-kaka-and-ancelotti-will-remain-at-milan

Soccer-Kaka denies talks with Real

2009-04-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

AC Milan's Kaka has denied holding talks with Real Madrid and said he wants to stay with the Serie A club.

Spanish media said prospective Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had agreed with Milan to sign Kaka in the off-season, having failed to attain the Brazilian when he was in charge at the Bernabeu.

"I think in recent days too many people have talked, now I'll speak," Kaka told Thursday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I have not had contact with Real, no one has tried to contact me and I think I have already made myself clear ... my wish is to stay at Milan."

Asked whether that would mean he would stay at the San Siro for life, Kaka said: "For the fifth time, it seems so to me."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who almost sold Kaka to Manchester City in January for a record fee, earlier said the former world player of the year was not for sale.

Kaka, who has been troubled by a foot injury in recent weeks, also said he would be happy to play under Massimiliano Allegri, amid media speculation the Cagliari boss may replace current coach Carlo Ancelotti.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKL99195720090409

Pato: I Nearly Lost A Limb To Cancer

2009-03-31T09:59:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian starlet has revealed that he narrowly avoided amputation at a young age.

Milan young gun Alexandre Pato has been a revelation since making his debut for the club in January 2008, when he scored in the Rossoneri’s convincing 5-2 triumph over Napoli at the San Siro stadium.

Since then he has gone on to make a name for himself as one of the world’s top talents, with a number of dazzling displays for both his club and country.

However, during a recent television program broadcast in Brazil, Pato sensationally confessed that his life may not have been as it is today had it not been for the doctors who identified that he had cancer at a young age.

“At the age of 11, before joining Internacional, I had broken my left arm twice in the same place, and required some examinations to determine the extent of the injury,” Pato affirmed in the program ‘Esporte Espetacular’.

“The investigations however had identified a tumour in the arm, and immediately it was feared that I would need to have my arm amputated.

“Thankfully I managed to have surgery to have it removed, and it was a success.”

At the age of just 19, the Brazilian has already proven his potential for the future, and that he has all the credentials at this stage to become one of the game's greats.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/03/31/1183719/milans-pato-admits-he-risked-amputation-as-a-child

Kaka ready to play for Brazil

2009-03-31T09:52:00.001-07:00

In his six days with the physical trainers of Brazil's national soccer team, Kaka claimed on Monday that he recuperated faster than in the past five weeks with his Italian team of Milan.

Suffering from a left foot injury, the midfielder has been limited in play with pain and discomfort. However, after Monday's team practice, Kaka says that he is ready to return to the field.

"After today's scrimmage, I proved that I am ready to play. I just don't know how long I can play for. I would love to start the game. I always fight for a starting position. However, Dunga is the only one who will decide that," revealed Kaka.

Kaka stayed behind in Brazil while the rest of the national team went to face Ecuador last Sunday.

In a 1-1 tie, Brazil returned satisfied with the result, claiming it is always difficult to play in areas of high altitude.

On Wednesday, April 1, Brazil will host Peru in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre in the next round of South American qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

Coach Dunga considers the match as an "obligation" to win at home.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/31/content_11104638.htm

Brazilian footballer: At Barcelona's heart, the soccer stadium

2009-03-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

You've been to Barcelona. So what? Unless you've experienced a match in Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona, the national football team of Catalonia, you haven't really been to Barcelona.

Catalonia? What? Barcelona is in Spain, right?

If you say so. Just don't ask a local.

Barcelona pulsates with history. You can feel it as you stroll the Bari Gotic (Gothic Quarter) or ping-pong off people during the Festival of Santa Lucia. It's the city of Gaudi and his improbable edifices and the dark, narrow contrast of Barceloneta, or Little Barcelona. It's beautiful, friendly people, scammers and getting your pocket picked on La Rambla. It's great food, museums and xocolata (a molten chocolate drink).

But for me it was a football vacation--one week and two matches. The city and all its glories were a go-with, because you can't spend all day at Camp Nou.

Though you could. There's the stadium tour (including museum), a grounds tour and the FC Barcelona Megastore, where you can buy everything from pens to baby blankets, skivvies to cuff links.

But you don't because you're traveling with civilians.

And then we got lucky, because a Barcelona family--Genis Sanchez, his wife, MariCruz, and mother, Montserrat, whom I met through a Barca football blog--took a Sunday to show us their Barcelona. So you get lunch at the Four Cats and buy a caganer statuette. You visit a beautiful abbey cloister and get a history lesson at almost every corner.

Then you get knocked on your butt.

There is a pockmarked wall in a church courtyard at Placa de Sant Filip Neri, a wall the city hasn't repaired. The marks were made by bullets during the Spanish Civil War. But there's no signage. You have to know, or someone has to tell you. Then when you tell your gracious hosts that you're planning to visit Montjuic Castle, mother and son exchange a look and he says, "We don't go there."

And the "Montjuic est molt Montjuic" (Montjuic is more than Montjuic [Castle]) signs make sense. Because you do your homework and realize that executions went on there during the war, including that of iconic Catalan nationalist Lluis Companys.

And you don't go.

Which is fine, because there is so much to do in Barcelona when you aren't watching football. Like Paris, Barcelona is a city of small museums, from art collections of former Formula One drivers to a small-but-mighty Egyptian museum.

But it was still all about the football.

You're wondering whether a football team is worth a trip to Barcelona? People vacation to visit baseball stadiums, the Super Bowl or World Series, and they aren't even in Barcelona. Nor is there the history, the reality that if you don't know any better, you can visit Barcelona and think that it's in Spain. Because it is. Technically. But not spiritually.

You may even wonder, during your touristy Camp Nou visit, why the signs are in Catalan, English, then Spanish. And why there are hardly any Spanish flags around town. Because Barcelona is in Catalonia, and its denizens are Catalan, even though they pay taxes to Spain and have Spanish passports. They speak and read Catalan, even though you can get along just fine in Barcelona speaking Spanish.

If you're devoted enough to FC Barcelona to become a soci (voting and supporting member of the club), the preceding paragraph sits firmly in the "Duh" category.

Because FC Barcelona, like the Catalan language, is an integral part of the city and the people. Catalonia used to be an empire, and the people have never forgotten. For almost four decades--during the Franco regime--the language was outlawed. The club's motto is mes que un club (more than a club), which is true. It's Catalan iconography. And even if Catalonia is a separate country in the minds of many of its residents, it is officially an autonomous community. But Catalonia feels it's a nation.

As you learn more it becomes clear that FC Barcelona is an institution, one that gets into your heart in a way that makes you fly thousands of miles to see two matches.

We arrived on a Friday and staggered around like lagged, fatigue-sotted drunks. So the first day was sort of a waste, noteworthy mostly for the gleeful discovery of finding a restaurant less than a block away that was excellent and willing to serve us dinner before 9 p.m.

But on the next day, I fell in love.

In Barcelona, there is a drink (a Mexican import) called xocolata, molten chocolate in a cup. In my ignorance, basic hot chocolate was the expectation, but the first cup was almost pornographic and went down faster than a Brazilian footballer when a defender touches him.

And we walked. And walked. And walked some more. We hit museums, but all I was thinking about was sitting in my seat that Saturday night--the first match. My friend Bill and I decided to walk to the stadium, a task made easy even if you are lost, by following the throngs togged out in bits of FC Barcelona finery.

Each match has a ritual path that begins with the Himno, the stirring, martial fight song of FC Barcelona. Then player introductions, with the same clipped cheer after each home player's name, followed by the buzz of anticipation. Camp Nou hums with history on a match night, and anybody who is a football fan and anywhere near Barcelona on a home match day will try to get a ticket. But matches are such an integral part of Barcelona life that you haven't really experienced the city until you've witnessed one, preferably one that matters, so that you can see more than 90,000 people become a country supporting its soldiers clad in the famous blaugrana (blue and burgundy) shirt.

And at the end of 90 minutes you realize that win or lose, a football vacation makes sense because you've gained a much better understanding of a city, a people and vibrant, pulsating history. Then the Himno makes sense, and you sing:

Tot el camp/Es un clam/Som la gent blaugrana/Tant se val d'on venim ...

The whole stadium/Loudly cheers/We're the blue and claret supporters/It matters not where we hail from.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/sns-trvmain3-wk3-mar22

Brazil Soccer: World Cup Debate: Do Brazil Really Need Ronaldo?

2009-03-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

R9’s return to goalscoring form has lead to fresh calls for him to be reinstated to the Selecao. But Goal.com’s KS Leong asks, do Brazil need him to come back?

As Ronaldo announced that he is comtemplating the idea of an early retirement next year, the question running through everyone’s mind is whether will he be granted one last recall to the Selecao, or one final appearance in the World Cup, before he hangs up his boots?

An overwhelming majority of Goal.com readers have backed O Fenomeno to fight his way back into the ultra-competitive Brazilian national team. But the country’s former World Cup winning captain, Carlos Alberto Torres, doesn’t believe that he should feature in Dunga’s long-term plans. And he has good reason for thinking that.

Brazil simply do not require Ronaldo’s services in this phase of their history. They have more than enough talented forwards at their disposal: Luis Fabiano, Adriano, Robinho and Alexandre Pato. That they are not scoring regularly and consistently has more to do with the coach and his tactics, than it does with the players' natural abilities.

Risky Business

It’s not that Ronaldo is no longer good enough to don the verde-amarela, or that he’s too old. Make no mistake, he is not past it by any means. He has already scored four goals in five games for Corinthians and did so almost immediately after returning from a year long injury. It’s the kind of conversion rate reminiscent of his astonishing ratio back in the 90’s: 42 goals in 45 games for PSV and 34 goals in 37 games for Barcelona. If he can continue in this form, he certainly warrants a return to the Canarinho.

But taking the 32-year-old to the 2010 World Cup, for example, is a risk. While he may be guaranteed to provide goals, there will always be a lingering question mark around his fragile condition, especially his knees. Sometimes at 50%, he can perform better than most strikers at 100%. But there are also times when his 50% looks more like most other players at 10%. In other words, his unpredictable fitness makes him… well, too unpredictable.

In all fairness, Ronaldo has always demonstrated his remarkable resilience and tenacity. Not only has he bounced back from several career-threatening injuries, but also from a twilight-zone World Cup final, some highly publicised broken relationships, yo-yo weight problems and countless off-field scandals.

The one thing he hasn’t been able to shed, though, is his over-indulgent lifestyle and his excessive partying.

It is something that the Brazilian team can do without at the moment, especially in light of more recent stories about Adriano and Robinho’s 12-hour merrymaking escapade and especially with South Africa 2010 fast approaching.

The no-nonsense disciplinarian Dunga, the Brazilian equivalent of Fabio Capello, was brought in to keep a tight leash on his players, clean up the squad and disband any group of egotistical celebrities and superstars. It was something that played a big part in the nation’s downfall in the 2006 World Cup in Germany when, for the first time since Italia ’90, they failed to get past the quarter-final stage as their ‘Magic Quartet’ flopped miserably.

Ronaldo has already earned and cemented his legendary status in the history books of world football, although according to the notorious IFFHS polls, he ranks no higher than 9th in the list of the best Brazilian players in the 20th century.

Yet, he has already been through and achieved more on the international stage than most players can even dream of. He’s gone all the way to the final of a World Cup three times in succession, won two of them, although he didn’t play at all at USA ’94 as a 17-year-old; he’s overtaken the great Gerd Muller as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 15 goals; he won the tournament’s Golden Shoe in 2002 and the Golden Ball in 1998 and he’s one of only two players to have ever won the FIFA World Player of the Year three times.

Let The Kids In

With 62 international goals to his name, perhaps the only thing left for Ronaldo to do is chase down Pele’s 77-goal mark to become the country’s all-time top scorer. While almost every football fanatic would love to see that happen, the truth is that it’s time for him to move over and let the next generation of young, aspiring Fenomenos to begin their own fairytale journey to superstardom. And there are plenty of them.

The one player who could suffer most if Ronaldo were to return to A Selecao is Pato, who has just started to inch his way into Dunga’s plans. The Milan striker has gone from being this gawky looking, pimple-faced teenager to becoming a world class footballing teenager in the space of just a few years. And in a few years more, he will join the very top echelon of the megastars of today. But his international progress could be hampered if in the next year or two, if he falls down the pecking order to make room for R9.

There’s also Douglas Costa who, although not a forward, is an outrageously talented attacking midfielder in the Ronaldinho mould. He’s already proven himself in Brazil’s Sub-20 squad in the recent South American Youth Championships but to move up to the next step, he needs the exposure in the senior squad and at the moment there is just no way of squeezing him in there, much less so if another attacking spot is reserved for Ronaldo.

But one particular young sensation everyone wants to see in the Esquadrao de Ouro is Keirrison. Wonderfully nicknamed K9, he is the one Brazilian who is in red-hot form at present: 16 goals in 14 games for Palmeiras. And at 20 years of age, he is primed and ready to step onto the big stage, although he may be too skinny for Dunga’s liking. But a potential move to one of Europe’s superpowers in the near future will force him to beef up and fast-track his international debut.

And the latest kid to emerge is, of course, Neymar, anointed by none other than Pele himself as the next big thing to come out of Brazil. And Santos. He may only have just turned 17 years old a month-and-a-half ago, but, lest we forget, that’s how old both Pele and Ronaldo were when they had their very first World Cup experience.

No-one would begrudge the opportunity the see Ronaldo in full fitness and in full flight as he rips apart opposing defences like he did in the good old days. And just like any professional footballer, he still harbours the burning desire to pull on his country’s colours and sing the national anthem before the start of every game.

Dunga has said he is more than willing to take the striker back, should an opportunity present itself. But the truth is that Brazil and Dunga are not in any particular dire need of his services. And Ronaldo himself isn’t exactly dying for more international recognition or success, or more unnecessary exertion on his knees. You just feel that one more injury and the curtains will really have to come down.

It would be sad sight indeed to see him forced to end his playing career with tears soaking his famous yellow jersey, clutching his knee as he is carried off the field in a stretcher, watched by millions.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/03/28/1179430/world-cup-debate-do-brazil-really-need-ronaldo

Brazil looks to overcome Ecuador hoodoo

2009-03-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Brazil will attempt to score their first FIFA World Cup™ qualifying goal in Ecuador when the teams meet at high altitude in Quito on Sunday.

The five-time world champions, second in the ten-team South American group, have a dismal record in the Andean country, having failed to hit the target in three previous qualifying visits. A 0-0 draw in tropical Guayaquil in 1993 was followed by 1-0 defeats in Quito in 2001 and again in 2004.

Coach Dunga said the chance to improve Brazil's poor record in Ecuador was an added incentive. "Every time there is a taboo to be broken or something to be conquered, it adds a little extra," he said. "We're going to play to win and gain points to help us qualify. It's always good to know the statistics, but we have to do our job."

Although Brazil are second in the South American group and well-placed to qualify, they are six points adrift of leaders Paraguay and have looked far from impressive in the qualifiers. They have been held 0-0 by Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia in successive home matches and went into the five-month break in the competition at a low ebb last October.

Since then, a 6-2 win over Portugal and an impressive 2-0 defeat of Italy in friendlies have lifted the pressure on Dunga. Playmaker Kaka is doubtful with a foot injury and striker Adriano has an ankle problem.

Ecuador, who had never played at a FIFA World Cup before qualifying in 2002 and 2006, are sixth in the table with 12 points, one behind fifth-placed Uruguay. Key midfielders Edison Mendez and Antonio Valencia have both been passed fit for the game which is crucial to their hopes of a third successive appearance.

Ecuador, who have depended heavily on their form in Quito in the past, have already dropped four points in home games and cannot afford another slip-up. The top four teams qualify for South Africa 2010 and the fifth play off with the fourth side from CONCACAF for another place.

Coach Sixto Vizuete is in confident mood, having said his team are stronger collectively than Brazil and that their opponents are afraid of playing at altitude.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1041661.html#brazil+looks+overcome+ecuador+hoodoo

Brazil soccer: World Cup, NCAA Style

2009-03-17T12:40:00.001-07:00

What if FIFA replicated the NCAA basketball model and expanded the World Cup finals to 64 teams -- well, 65 if you'd like a play-in game in Dayton or, say, Dortmund -- and essentially seeded the entire field instead of relying on imbalanced groups? We're talking about one match at a neutral site, winner advances, loser goes home.

We've got power conferences (Europe and South America) and mid-majors (Africa, CONCACAF and Asia). Sorry Oceania, but with Australia playing in Asia, you are going to the NIT. Seeds are based on FIFA rankings -- flawed, I know, but the NCAA selection committee isn't perfect either. I've also taken the liberty of moving Brazil into the top four seeds to avoid European domination. So your regional favorites are: Spain (South), Germany (East), Netherlands (Midwest) and Brazil (West).

The first round will play out with eight games per day, today through Thursday. The second round, sweet 16, regional finals and final four will be held next week.

Teams advance based on your votes. Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, tell your co-workers! Jump to the continuation of this thread to make your first four South Region picks. (The other four will be available later today.)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/03/world_cup_ncaa_style.html?wprss=soccerinsider

Pato: Defenders out to get me

2009-03-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

AC Milan favourite Alexandre Pato has admitted that he is a marked man in the tough and physical world of Serie A.

The Samba starlet is enjoying a stellar season for the Rossoneri having already bagged 15 goals for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

But despite his heroics, Milan are struggling to stay with league leaders and bitter rivals Inter and have already been knocked out of this season's UEFA Cup competition.

Pato was on target during Milan's 2-1 defeat at Sampdoria last weekend, a game that, once again, saw the 19-year-old receive more than his fair share of tough tackles.

"Defenders have become harder on me," Pato explained to Milan's official television channel.

"They have decided not to let me run, but often, they don't get the ball, they get me!"

With the pressure on Milan to improve, Pato is determined to keep on scoring, a task he believes is made easier thanks to the class that exists within the Milanese club's ranks.
"It's easy to score at Milan, with so many good players who know where to put the ball so I can score," he said.

"I am also learning tricks from [Andriy] Shevchenko and [Pippo] Inzaghi.

"David Beckham is also a great guy, and not just on the pitch. He has helped me a lot, and when we play together, I know, if I ask him for a pass, he knows where I want the ball."

http://www.espnstar.com/football/serie-a/news/detail/item217213/Pato:-Defenders-out-to-get-me/

Pato: I really want Beckham to stay

2009-03-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Alexandre Pato has welcomed news that David Beckham is set to stay with AC Milan.

A loan extension from LA Galaxy is expected to be confirmed over the weekend and Pato said: “I really want Beckham to stay.

“He is a great player and not just in a match situation. Off the field he’s a lovely guy who always helps me if I need something.

“On the pitch if I ask him for the ball in a certain position, he puts it in exactly the right spot.”

Pato always said that Ronaldo was his hero, so he must be pleased to see his former teammate return to the sport after a long injury lay-off in Brazil.

“We are friends and often chat, so of course I’m happy he is playing again. Now I would love him to get back to the Ronaldo we all knew – Il Fenomeno.”

http://www.tribalfootball.com/ac-milans-pato-i-really-want-beckham-stay-231316

Corinthians Striker Ronaldo Admits Return Is Getting Closer

2009-02-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

The hitman is on his way back, but he is treading carefully in order to refrain from rushing things...

Corinthians striker Ronaldo admits his return to action is drawing closer as he enjoys the Carnival in Rio De Janeiro.

The Brazilian hitman has been out since his horrific injury against Livorno last February when playing for Milan. After surgery and a long fight against the odds, 'Il Fenomeno' is on the verge of returning to a football pitch.

Fans cannot wait for the bald-headed star to come back and they will be cheering following his latest comments while he was enjoying the Rio festivities.

"I do not know the exact date of my return, but I believe it is very near," Ronaldo told Globoesporte.com.

"I am feeling really well and all the training has been going good. I am very happy with the progress."

Ronaldo signed for Corinthians in December after he was released last summer from the Rossoneri.

A number of reports have suggested that the striker will make his debut against Palmeiras next month.

So far, Corinthians coach Mano Menezes has failed to bow to pressure regarding Ronaldo's return, leading to speculation that the player is still some way off full fitness.

http://goal.com/en/news/60/south-america/2009/02/23/1123664/corinthians-striker-ronaldo-admits-return-is-getting-closer

Friendly demonstrations of sheer skill

2009-02-13T18:00:00.001-08:00

Playing for points is one thing, putting on an exhibition of the skills of soccer quite another. In London, in Marseille and in Seville this midweek there were so-called friendly international games that left packed audiences in no doubt about who are the modern masters of the sport.

With goals from Elano and Robinho, with a stunning reminder of how great Ronaldinho can still be if he has the desire, Brazil eclipsed Italy, 2-0, in a friendly match before an audience of 60,000 at Arsenal's London stadium. It was samba on a frigid night.

The game featured the same color combination - one team in golden yellow, the other in blue - as with Australia and Japan. Yet so fluid was the Brazil display, so appealing to the eye, that it looked like a different game, on a different planet, from the dull stalemate played out in Japan.

Television brings as many of the games to us as we have time to consume. When Brazil shows off like this, on a pitch that is world-class to complement the flair of its players, we wonder why Dunga, the present Brazil national coach, constrains his men on other occasions. Italy had almost a full squad of its finest players, yet couldn't come near to disrupting Brazil's rhythm.

The French suffered similar problems with Lionel Messi. He carried his Barcelona club form into Argentina's 2-0 victory in Marseille, and after Messi scored a marvellous solo goal, the home crowd of Frenchmen stood in applause to his talents. Diego Maradona - his countryman, coach and, in his time, fellow genius - praised Messi's quality, but also his work ethic.

In Seville, Spain demonstrated just why it won Euro 2008, and why England was not even in that tournament. A goal on the ground by David Villa, and one in the air from substitute Joseba Llorente, showed England what finishing is all about.

But the difference was in passing, awareness, movement. Even David Beckham, who earned another cheap cap as a second-half replacement and who was lucky to stay on the pitch after a wild tackle and a yellow card for dissent, came close to acknowledging that England had been outclassed.

On the night when he equaled the record of 108 appearances for England, Beckham also learned that American soccer is running out of patience with his feckless attitude. He is contracted to the Los Angeles Galaxy, but he wants now to break that contract so that he can play a higher grade of soccer, with AC Milan.

Don Garber, the commissioner of the Major League Soccer, on Wednesday gave an ultimatum to Beckham and Milan: Make the Galaxy an acceptable offer and take him, or send him back to California. The deadline Garber gave is Friday.

Ancelotti rules out Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti of AC Milan says he has no intention of becoming Chelsea's manager, The Associated Press reported from Milan.

The London club fired Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday, and has hired Russia coach Guus Hiddink as his replacement until the end of the season. Ancelloti has been considered Chelsea's top choice to take over full-time. "The only club that has made a move to sign me has been Chelsea," Ancelotti was quoted Thursday by La Stampa as saying. He added, "I am not thinking about leaving."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/12/news/CUP.php

London bears witness as Brazil outshine Italy

2009-02-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

Such was the volume of the wildly excited and high pitch screams echoing around the Emirates Stadium that you could have been forgiven for thinking a boy band were about to take centre stage.

Samba style: Brazil celebrate Elano's opening goal

Westlife, Take That or the Backstreet Boys would have felt quite at home amid the 60,077 fanatics in attendance on this chilled North London night and all present created the sort of carnival atmosphere this stadium has not been used to during a campaign when the resident team have fallen from the lofty perch.

In a season when this impressive venue has lacked some soul when it is bursting full with increasingly frustrated Arsenal fans, the followers of Brazil and Italy brought it to life in a grand manner.

Clearly, the novelty value of seeing two of the world's iconic international sides going head-to-head clearly helped to heighten the expectation for London-based supporters who may not have believed their national heroes had come to perform before them, yet the jovial nature exuded by all was an example of what this great game should be about.

Football loving Brazilians and Italians worshiped together and only battled to sing louder than one another. While it would be tough to inject regular Premier League football attendees with the enthusiasm and passion displayed by those present for this game, it was a delight to share the experience with them.

It was also refreshing to sit through two national anthems celebrated with the sort of gusto and respect England fans are always keen to ignore. Internationals at Wembley are generally marred by jeers for the opposing musical rallying call, yet Italy's familiar signature tune and Brazil's up tempo number were toasted by all.

The game itself had to be special to live up to the pre-match euphoria, but it more than satisfied the appetite as it quickly clicked into gear. Brazil are only allowed to play this game in the beautiful manner and even though the method of the Azzurri is often less eye-catching, their quality can be equally captivating.

We were given an idea of just how high pitched the volume level would rise to greet the first goal when Fabio Grosso saw his effort incorrectly chalked off for offside in the fourth minute. The Italy full-back looked to have timed his run perfectly and produced a fine finish before his celebrations were cut short by the misplaced flag from the English official.

It soon became apparent that a fixture billed as a friendly would have a cutting edge. The tackles may not have been flying quite as fiercely as they may be if they two sides are to contest the World Cup final next year, but this was to be a feisty and thrilling affair.

The first goal was not long in coming as a typically brilliant Brazil move featuring Robinho and the recalled Ronaldinho, who combined to carve open the normally rock-solid Italian defence and allowed Manchester City's Elano to score with glee.

This game can occasionally send a shiver down the spine when its most gifted exponents hit the right notes and even though they were helped by some indifferent defending, this was one of those moments.

Brazil's second goal was just as memorable. While the experienced Andrea Pirlo may not have allowed Robinho to win the ball so easily on the edge of his box if this game had points resting on it, the quick-footed brilliance of Manchester City's record signing was a sight to behold before he fizzed a fizzing left footed shot past Gianluigi Buffon.

Marcello Lippi's long unbeaten run came to an end in London

The sparkling first half showing was timely for Brazil boss Carlos Dunga, who would have noted the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea on Monday with some trepidation. He has had his troubles trying to living up to expectations at the helm of a national team who don't tolerate second best, so constant success is now required to dampen down the theory that Scolari may return to try and recreate his World Cup glory of seven years ago.

Azzurri chief Marcello Lippi was the coach with all the worries at the break and his response was to unleash the towering Luca Toni from his place on the bench, along the veteran Mauro Camoranesi and ex-Manchester United starlet Giuseppe Rossi. Clearly, this veteran mastermind was not satisfied with the efforts of many he opted to name on his initial team-sheet.

Bayern Munich's Toni, in particular, had a positive impact for Italy and he had a goal struck off when he handled the ball in the build-up. He went on to miss a great chance with eight minutes to go as he nipped in front of the Brazilian defence and was denied by a fine save from Cesar and went close again in the dying minutes, but the game was lost by then.

Brazil's quality of passing and impressive work rate ensured they recorded a comfortable victory and Dunga was a content figure as he sat before an excited press pack. ''The goals we scored were well worked and Robinho was exceptional to create the second,'' stated the USA'94 World Cup winning skipper.

He also had a few good words for the recalled Ronaldinho. ''I felt he worked hard for the team and he gave us some extra options,'' was his view of the celebrated AC Milan star. ''We have great talent in this squad and Kaka still has to come back, but it's all about working it together for the team.''

Marcello Lippi was targeting a record breaking 32nd unbeaten game as Italy boss, yet found some positives despite being was denied the milestone.

''We did not start the game well and this was partly due to the fact we only had 48 hours to think about this game,'' he said. ''Brazil took advantage of our mistakes in the first half and it was difficult after that.''

It is always hard to assess the true importance of a friendly international, yet the Italy of 2009 look a long way short of the powerful champions who ruled the world three years ago. As for Brazil, they were impressive as both an attacking and defensive unit and look set to be the team to beat when the soccer world convenes in South Africa some 16 months from now.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Gilberto was shown the door by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who apparently believed he was past his prime. On this evidence, his brand of no-nonsense midfield industry is just what the misfiring Gunners have been missing this season. Robinho's fancy footwork earned him top honours from the sponsors, but Gilberto deserved credit for his less eye-catching effort.

PRESS BOX NOVELTY: Confirmation that this was a very different occasion at the Emirates Stadium was came with a packed out press room bursting with attractive female reporters. The British written press pack are generally an aging and slightly grumpy bunch, but those charged with reporting on Brazil and Italy are far more pleasing on the eye and appear to be less interested in consuming cream cakes.

BRAZIL VERDICT: The combination of Ronaldinho, Robinho and Elano was electrifying to watch at times and they also showed impressive commitment to the cause in a friendly international. The recently unemployed Scolari is not required to revive this reinvent this brilliant team just yet.

AZZURRI VERDICT: Italy boss Marcelo Lippi admitted he was frustrated by the lack of preparation time prior to a battle with the 2002 World Champions and his side lost this game with their slack first half defending.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=618026&sec=worldcup2010&root=worldcup2010&&cc=5901

SOCCER: FIFA BOOST AFTER BRAZIL WIN

2009-02-12T09:07:00.000-08:00

Italy gained some small consolation for its 2-0 defeat to Brazil in London Tuesday night by clinging on to fourth place in FIFA's monthly world soccer rankings, one spot ahead of Brazil.

The Italians were outplayed at the Emirates stadium after they saw a goal by Fabio Grosso disallowed, going down to goals by Elano and Robinho.

Coach Marcello Lippi, who failed to set a world record 32 undefeated run, said: ''Brazil is stronger than us now but we'll have to see in a year and a half's time,'' at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

In the FIFA standings, European champions Spain.

http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2009-02-11_111333409.html

Kaka shrugs off Bologna boos to inspire AC Milan to victory

2009-01-28T12:50:00.001-08:00

Kaka shook off barracking from Bologna fans to produce a superb goal scoring performance in AC Milan's victory last night.

Gazzetta dello Sport says Kaka was subjected to abusive chants from home supporters, a rare occurrence in Italy.

"It was all very beautiful," insisted Kaka at the final whistle. "I'm happy because Milan are still chasing Inter and Juve, and even for my two goals. In 2009 we are demonstrating consistency."

On his blossoming partnership with Alexandre Pato, Kaka added: "We are improving. With Pato, it is going very well and the second goal, really was very beautiful, it was created from an exchange between us."

http://www.tribalfootball.com/kaka-shrugs-bologna-boos-inspire-ac-milan-victory-224376

KAKA NAMED TSN.CA SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK

2009-01-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

With the transfer drama behind him, Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite or Kaka as he is better known can get back to doing what he does best, scoring goals and capturing awards. The latest is the TSN.ca Soccer Player of the Week.

The Brazilian superstar has been a one man dynamo for Milan since rejecting a move to Manchester City last week and his fingerprints were all over Milan's destruction of Bologna Sunday.

Although David Beckham will likely get the headlines for scoring his first goal since arriving in Italy, it was Kaka who made the difference against Bologna. The 2007 World Player of the year was unstoppable, scoring twice and controlling the play as the Rossoneri continue to gain ground in the race for the Scudetto.

Others up for consideration this week included Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Getafe's Roberto Soldado and Genclerbirligi's James Triosi.

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/story/?id=264601&lid=sublink02&lpos=topRelated_soccer

Soccer-Ronaldinho recalled by Brazil, Amauri overlooked

2009-01-26T12:09:00.000-08:00

Ronaldinho, dropped by Brazil last year following a loss of form, has been recalled by coach Dunga for next month's friendly against Italy in London.

However, there was still no place for Juventus striker Amauri who is embroiled in a controversy over whether he should play for his native Brazil or for Italy, where he has spent most of his career.

Dunga said he was spoilt for choice when it came to choosing forwards.

"We have got Luis Fabiano, who has hit a purple patch, Adriano, Pato, who was in the Olympic team, and Robinho, who has been a regular for a while," Dunga told reporters.

"I have all these to choose from so anyone else is going to have to wait his moment.

"Amauri is a good player and I've been watching him. But in his last two games, maybe because of all the fuss, he hasn't done so well."

Amauri, 28, is applying for an Italian passport and had previously said he would like to play for the world champions if he continues to be overlooked by his home country.

He has scored 11 Serie A goals this season after joining from Palermo.

Forward Ronaldinho, who has been inconsistent for AC Milan, was left out of Brazil's last three games following a dismal display in their goalless draw at home to Bolivia in September.

He missed the World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Colombia in October and the friendly against Portugal in November.

The squad also included a call-up for uncapped Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo.

Forward Adriano, banned for three domestic matches on Monday for punching an opponent during an Italian Serie A game on Sunday, was also included.

Brazil face the Italians at Arsenal's Emirates stadium on Feb. 10, the first meeting between the two sides since a 3-3 draw in France in 1997 and only the second since the 1994 World Cup final which Brazil won on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Goalkeeper: Doni (AS Roma), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano Correia (Sevilla), Maicon (Inter Milan), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luis¿o (Benfica), Juan (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Elano (Manchester City), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan), Ronaldinho (AC Milan)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNews/idUKN2639223320090126?sp=true

Soccer star kaka

2009-01-25T12:11:00.000-08:00

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite commonly known as Kaka. The 26 -year- old attacking midfielder expressed his decision to remain at AC Milan. Manchester City had earlier wanted to buy him but their efforts were fruitless.

He was born on April 22, 1982 in Brazil, the Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Brazil and the Serie A club A.C. Milan. He is one of the budding young stars in world football.

The Premier League club was also set to pay Kaka wages of £500,000 a week to quit Milan for Manchester.

Kaká’s younger brother Rodrigo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, known as Digão, followed in his brother’s footsteps and is currently on loan with Serie B team Rimini, after having spent some time in the AC Milan youth squad.

An internet discussion forum explains the nickname as a commonly used shortened form of "Ricardo" in Portuguese.

Kaká is supposed to have got his nickname because his little brother Rodrigo could not pronounce the word "Ricardo" when they were young.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/rainbow/Soccer_star_kaka_78747.shtml

Sao Paulo Youth Cup All Around the World

2009-01-25T12:05:00.000-08:00

Great soccer final will be broadcast to 60 countries, Jan. 25

The Sao Paulo Youth Cup or Copa Sao Paulo de Juniores -- as it is called in Brazil -- is the most important soccer youth championship here.

The tournament is for teams from every part of Brazil and is famous for revealing Brazil's most amazing talents.Julio Baptista, Robinho and Kaka, are just some of the stars who began their careers in the Sao Paulo Youth Cup.

This year some young talents were tapped before the Cup began: The offensive winger Neymar playing for Santos, Oscar Sao Paulo's midfielder. But all of them have already been eliminated.

The final match is Atletico-PR against Corinthians.

The final is always played on Jan. 25, the date of the foundation of Sao Paulo city. All matches are played in Sao Paulo state and this year is no different. But there is one difference this year; for the very first time the Sao Paulo Youth Cup final will be broadcast in 60 countries. This will give a chance for European countries, or at least 15 of them, to watch who will probably be Brazil's next soccer star.

Both Corinthians and Atletico have good soccer talent to highlight, and I bet that a good part of the most important European soccer managers will be keenly watching this match, on the lookout for the next Brazilian surprise.

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=436495&no=384696&rel_no=1

Vasco da Gama loses in first game of state tournament

2009-01-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

In their first game of the Rio de Janeiro state tournament, the Vasco da Gama soccer team lost on Saturday to Americano by a score of 2-0.

Despite the negative result, the team's head coach, Dorival Junior believes that the game was full of positive results. Critics of the team say that the team will only begin to be competitive in the fourth or fifth round of the state competition.

"In my opinion, I saw more good things than bad things in today's game," said the head coach. "I was disappointed with the result, but I am happy with the team's performance.

"The players played to the best of their ability and made some great individual plays. We played much better in the second half. However, I want my players ready for a long and hard year, rather than a walk in the park."

The club is not distraught with their loss.

Dorival Junior considers the state tournament as a warm up for the 2009 season. He plans on having a great year and hopes to raise the team from the second division of the Brazilian soccer championship. They fell to the second division in 2008 after having placed among the worst four of the tournament.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/25/content_10716384.htm

Pato's early goal holds up as Milan downs Fiorentina

2009-01-22T21:33:00.000-08:00

Pato's goal seven minutes into the game was enough to lead AC Milan to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina at the San Siro on Saturday.

The win moves Milan to within six points of leaders Inter Milan and it solidifies the Rossoneri's hold on third place, while Fiorentina remains in sixth place and has lost its last two games.

Milan got out to a great start with Pato scoring his third goal in two games inside of seven minutes.

David Beckham attempted a cross from the left wing that was blocked and the ball fell to Marek Jankulovski, who slipped a pass to Pato inside the box. The young Brazilian then eluded a defender and fired off the far post and into the net to give his side an early lead.

Stevan Jovetic tried to equalize seven minutes later but he hooked a shot just wide from 20 yards before a well-struck shot from Riccardo Montolivo was parried by Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati.

Beckham almost added to Milan's lead right before halftime when he got into the box on the right and drove a low shot towards the far post that was tipped wide by goalkeeper Marco Storari.

The second half started slowly but a nice ball from Juan Vargas found Mario Santana in front of goal midway through the half. Santana struck the ball first-time but Abbiati reacted well and got enough of the ball to keep it out.

Santana threatened the Milan net again in the 73rd minute when he fired just wide of the right post, but the Viola were unable to muster another significant threat over the final 15 minutes despite the fact that Jankulovski picked up a second yellow card in the 90th minute.

Siena moved seven points clear of the drop zone as Mario Frick scored with 15 minutes to play, handing his side a 1-0 win over second-from-the-bottom Reggina, which is winless in its last six games.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=soc-ita/news/news.aspx?id=4204424

Soccer-Brazilian champions Sao Paulo held as season starts

2009-01-22T21:26:00.001-08:00

Brazilian champions Sao Paulo were held to a 1-1 draw at home by modest Ituano in the Paulista championship as the 2009 season kicked off on Wednesday.

Striker Hugo gave Sao Paulo a 12th minute lead when he scored with a clinically-taken effort after the ball was laid off by Borges.

However, the visitors levelled when defender Miranda put through his own goal in the 36th minute as he tried to control the ball with his chest.

Sao Paulo, Brazilian champions for the last three years, were jeered off the field by the 11,000 crowd at the Morumbi.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo's Palmeiras made a more impressive start when they beat Santo Andre 1-0, debutant Cleiton Xavier scoring a neat goal in the 43rd minute after striker Lenny prised open the defence.

The Paulista is the largest of the regional tournaments that serve as a prelude to the Brazilian championship.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_WORLDFOOTBALL/idUKSP35180320090122

Alexandre Pato a Serie A Sensation This Season

2009-01-14T19:32:00.000-08:00

Alexandre Pato has become one of Serie A’s most prominent players during the last calendar year. The young Brazilian has just completed his first year at AC Milan and with his lightning speed, unique technical skills, great finishing, and outstanding reading of the game; the forward has done nothing to diminish his €22 million price tag.

Alexandre Pato, whose real name is Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, received his shirt name due to his hometown being Pato Branco—which in both Spanish and Portuguese means “duck.”

Pato started playing futsal at the early age of four and become known in the Parana region due to his unique skills. At the age of seven the young talent switched to football and went off to play for Gremiô Industrial Pato Branquese—a sister club to Gremiô.

However, things haven’t always been easy for "The Duck." In 2000, young Pato at a mere 10 years of age was brought to the doctors with a broken arm. The doctor found something else too—a tumor that would have been cancerous had it not been removed within two months.

It was lucky for both Pato and his family that the doctor was a family friend, as they could not afford the costly operation. The operation was performed for free and it took several years for the prospering talent to fully recover and rehabilitate the arm.

When Pato turned 11 he along with his family decided to put all eggs in one basket by trying out for Internacional—with 83 other boys all fighting for the same spot. He beat all of his competitors—leaving the club with the knowledge that they had stumbled across something amazing.

In 2005, Pato helped Internacional to win the Brazilian U-20 Championship after bagging a brace against Gremiô in the return fixture of the final. That year Internacional also won the Copa Libertadores, which generated a place in the FIFA Club World Cup where the Brazilians surprisingly came to beat Barcelona in the final.

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The Brazilian didn’t manage to shine in the final due to the fact that the forward was playing with injury, but that didn’t stop him from running circles around defense stalwart Carles Puyol before he was substituted for team mate Adriano Gabiru who eventually scored the winner.

Pato was deliberately kept in the youth team to keep prying eyes from discovering that blossoming talent and the management was forbidden to talk about their prized asset to the media. It wasn’t until the forward Rafael Sobis left Internacional that Pato at age 17 signed a contract and took the step up to the senior team.

It was from then that the youngster started the fine habit of scoring in his debuts. He presented himself to the club’s supporters by scoring a header in his debut against Palmeiras in the 4-1 win in November 2006. The buzz surrounding the player was unbelievable as he was tipped to becoming one of the world’s most complete players in the coming years.

During the following year Pato helped the Brazil youth team to a South American Youth Championship title in Paraguy—which also meant automatic qualification to both FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada and 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

On Aug. 2 2007, AC Milan paid €22 million for Pato as the club confirmed their latest signing—but with regards to the Italian Football Regulations regarding underage non-European players—he was unable to play official games for his new club until Jan. 3, 2008 when the transfer window would reopened.

On Sept. 4, 2007—the day after his birthday, Pato made his unofficial debut for Milan in a friendly against Dynamo Kiev where he scored a header in the 2-2 draw and gave the Diavolo supporters something to look forward to.

The official debut in the Milan shirt took place on Jan. 13, 2008 and the hype surrounding the player did nothing to stress the forward who loyal to his habit scored in his first official game in the 5-2 win over Napoli.

Approximately two months after his Milan debut the young Brazilian once again scored in a debut. Pato came off the bench and scored the winner with a sublime strike in 72th minute in his first appearance for the Selecão where Brazil hosted Sweden at the Emirates Stadium in celebration of the 1958 World Cup Final between the two nations.

Most people probably remember a certain Pelé attracting global recognition with his inspiring performance during that specific final about 50 years ago.

Pato rounded up his first six months at Milan with 18 appearances and nine goals and quickly became a fan favorite at the San Siro.

During the following summer Pato made three appearances and scored one goal as a part of the Brazil team that won bronze medals in the Beijing Olympics.

The Brazilian has started the 2008-09 in great fashion and already has eight goals to his name. The youngster has scored doubles against both Udinese and Roma this season and is quickly becoming an integral part of the team’s offense.

He has earned the praise of teammates and coaches alike, and keeping his head cool and staying humble with the amount of attention he is receiving simply showcases maturity despite his young age.

The forward has already blossomed into a world-class player and if he continues on the same path, there is not a doubt in my mind that he will one day soon become the best footballer in the world.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/110923-alexandre-pato-a-serie-a-sensation-this-season/show_full

Brazil has five years to pull off a miracle, get into Cup-hosting shape

2009-01-10T07:08:00.000-08:00

Now that the World Cup is a tournament for 32 teams, more countries can qualify, but fewer can play host. South America makes this situation very clear. The continent staged the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and, up until 1978, hosted four of the first 11 -- all in the days when a maximum of 16 teams took part.

Since then, the tournament has grown, first to 24 and then to 32, without returning to the continent of its birth. And six years ago, when FIFA announced that under a rotation system, 2014 would be South America's turn, everyone knew what the outcome would be. CONMEBOL (the South American Federation) almost immediately announced that Brazil was its sole candidate.

Colombia later broke ranks and briefly ran a rival bid, but it was never serious. Its main aim was almost certainly to protect itself from the rise of Venezuela, which was investing heavily in stadiums for the '07 Copa América. It was successful -- Colombia overcame its neighbors to be awarded the 2011 Under-20 World Cup Cup. At the senior level, though, Brazil remains the only South American country that could single-handedly stage a 32-team tournament.

This is a consequence of the continent's economic inheritance. Many South American countries are dominated by one major city -- typically the port through which its raw materials were exported and manufactured produce flooded in. It was a model that left the countries with a big port and an undeveloped hinterland, like a huge head on top of a feeble body.

When Uruguay staged the first World Cup in 1930, the action was restricted to Montevideo. The three stadiums used were all situated in the nation's capital. In '62, Chile used four stadiums in four different cities, but the Nacional in Santiago was the only ground with a capacity of more than 20,000. In '78, Argentina used two stadiums in Buenos Aires as well as four grounds in other cities around the country.

The comparison with Europe is clear. In '34, Italy used eight cities. Four years later, France used nine. In '58, Sweden used 12. Brazil used six in '50, still the most decentralized World Cup ever staged in South America -- although Brazil is sure to break its own record in five years' time.

A country of continental dimensions, Brazil takes up half of South America, and has no problems finding enough potential venues for a World Cup. Eighteen cities are candidates to stage matches in 2014. FIFA originally wanted 10. Brazil has been lobbying hard for 12, and is optimistic of success. Whatever the outcome, it's going to be an ambitious project that will represent a huge opportunity for the development of the Brazilian game.

The '50 World Cup is usually remembered for the defeat that Brazil suffered against Uruguay in the final, the biggest disaster in the country's collective consciousness. But there's another side to the story.

With matches in Porto Alegre and Curitiba in the south, in a new stadium in Belo Horizonte (where the U.S. beat England) in the hinterland and in Recife on the northeastern coast, the '50 World Cup was a genuinely national affair. It helped to strengthen soccer outside the traditional centers of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. When the country at last set up a national championship in '71, the fruits of this process were soon apparent. The major clubs of Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre lost nothing in comparison with the traditional giants.

From a long-term perspective, the '50 World Cup was a raging success. Brazilian soccer now needs to ensure that the same is true in 2014. There's little doubt that Brazil can stage a tournament full of magical moments that will be recalled fondly for many years by the local population, thousands of tourists and billions worldwide watching on TV. But what will be the lasting legacy for the Brazilian game? This is the most important consideration.

The possibility exists that the opportunity might be wasted. The story of the Pan-American Games, staged by Rio de Janeiro in '07, illustrates the dangers. The authorities basked in an orgy of self-congratulation, the event went way over budget, huge sums of public money were spent -- and the legacy was deeply disappointing. None of the promises on transportation infrastructure were transformed into reality and the sporting installations that were built for the games aren't considered successful.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_vickery/01/06/brazil.2014/?eref=sircrc

Brazilian Soccer Star Marta Going to Los Angeles

2009-01-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

The Brazilian star Marta has bid farewell to her Swedish club team and is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Sol of the new Women’s Professional Soccer league. An announcement could come on Monday in Switzerland, where Marta is one of five finalists for FIFA’s women’splayer of the year award.

Marta, 22, whose full name is Marta Vieira da Silva, has played for Umea IK in Sweden since 2004 but turned down a new contract to accept a three-year, $1.5 million deal with the Sol, according to the Expressen, a daily newspaper in Stockholm.

“We’re in a great place with it, but I don’t want to say anything without having a signed document,” Charlie Naimo, the Sol’s general manager, said Thursday in a telephone interview from Chula Vista, Calif., where he was scouting players at a United States national team under-23 training camp. “I will say that that’s a lot of money to be throwing around and that a figure of $500,000 a year is ridiculous. But from our perspective, we’re cautiously optimistic and we like our position.”

Marta, a skillful and creative left-footed player who is comfortable as either a striker or a midfielder, has played 45 times for Brazil’s women’s national team, most recently in the gold medal game at the Beijing Olympics, a 1-0 overtime loss to the United States. She has twice been named FIFA’s women’s player of the year and is expected to walk away with her third trophy at a banquet Monday night in Zurich.

Marta’s friend and teammate at Umea, central defender Johanna Frisk, 22, has also left the club and is close to signing a contract with the Sol, Naimo said. The W.P.S. is a seven-team league scheduled to begin play in late March when the Sol host the Washington Freedom in the league’s inaugural game, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

“I’m confident it’s not a done deal, but it looks good,” Naimo said. “We’re in the same boat with all five of our international players: we have soft agreements. But until we have something signed, there’s nothing binding.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/soccer/09soccer.html?ref=sports

Determined Milan Desperate For Victory Against Roma – Pato

2009-01-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

The young Brazilian is confident that his side will be at their best this weekend against Roma.

The Serie A resumes this weekend, and undoubtedly the match of the opening round of 2009 sees Milan travel to Rome to face the Giallorossi, in what is certain to be an intriguing contest.

The Rossoneri are third in the league at present, and can ill afford to drop any points in this clash, if they wish to keep up with Inter and Juventus, who are both ahead of them in the standings.

In the lead up to the big match, the club’s young Brazilian striker, Alexandre Pato, has given his thoughts on the pulsating fixture.

“It will be a beautiful match between two great teams,” Pato said in an interview with Sky.

“We were happy with 2008, and we are hungry for more this year, and that starts this weekend against Roma.

“We are determined to do well and we will continue to give our all in every match we play,” he added.

The 19-year-old striker concluded the interview by making a comment on the club’s new arrival David Beckham, a player whomo he has great admiration for.

“Beckham’s arrival has been great for the club, and as I have seen him train and play, I can tell that he is very strong, not only on the field, but also off it.

“For me it is a great pleasure to train with him and with all of my team mates.

“I am happy to be here. It's great, we are strong, and I look forward to my future in Milan,” he concluded.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1708/ac-milan/2009/01/10/1053230/determined-milan-desperate-for-victory-against-roma--pato

12 cities to host World Cup in Brazil

2008-12-26T14:55:00.000-08:00

Soccer's governing body agreed to increase from 10 to 12 the number of Brazilian cities that will host the 2014 World Cup.

Brazil's soccer federation said Friday it persuaded FIFA to make the change because of the size of the country.

According to the O Globo newspaper, five of the 18 potential host cities that will definitely stage World Cup games are: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Porto Alegre.

The northeastern cities of Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Curitiba in the south are "almost certain" sites, the newspaper said. It added that the remaining three cities will be chosen from Manaus, Belem, Cuiaba, Goiania, Campo Grande and Florianpolis.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-12-26-804270844_x.htm

Soccer-Same old story for unhappy Brazil

2008-10-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Brazil's goalless draw to Colombia in their World Cup qualifier brought a predictably angry reaction from the media on Thursday, although they stopped short of calling for the head of coach Dunga.

The match was almost a replica of the previous month's stalemate with Bolivia, with Brazil lacking the ideas to break down defensive but unambitious opponents.

Brazil were jeered off the field after what is expected to be their last match of the campaign at the Maracana stadium and Dunga, a former hard-tackling midfielder in his playing days, was insulted by the crowd.

"The Maracana won't miss them," said the influential daily O Globo.

"As boring as a party political broadcast," added the Jornal dos Sports. "No shine and no class. Just like Dunga's football when he was player."

The sports daily Lance said: "Brazil were a team with no creativity and no solutions for breaking down an opposition which was based on tactical application."

Curiously, Brazil have won their last two away games in the group, scoring seven goals in the process. But in those matches, opponents Chile and Venezuela, encouraged by home advantage, opened up and left space for Brazil's lethal counterattacks.

Dunga, however, has been unable to adapt Brazil's style to deal with teams who shut up shop.

Strangely, he kept the same formation for Wednesday's game with Kaka in midfield along with three tackling specialists in Gilberto Silva, Jose and Elano.

Despite their inconsistent form, Brazil are second in the 10-team South American group with 17 points from 10 games and should easily maintain their 100 percent attendance record at the World Cup finals.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKLG53269320081016?sp=true

Soccer-Milan's Ronaldinho excited to play with Kaka

2008-07-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Brazil forward Ronaldinho said he was mostly looking forward to teaming up again with compatriot Kaka as he was unveiled as an AC Milan player on Thursday.

The San Siro was almost half full to welcome the 28-year-old, who wore a Milan kit as he waved to the crowd from the pitch.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has said the former Barcelona man will probably play alongside Kaka in a Christmas tree formation with a main striker just ahead of them.

It is not just the Rossoneri fans and their coach drooling over the idea.

"I will be exciting to play with Kaka. He is among the best in the world. He is also a friend, in the national team we play well together," said Ronaldinho, who unlike Kaka is being allowed by the club to play at next month's Olympics.

"Every player dreams of playing for Milan. It is a special emotion and I hope to bring happiness to all the fans."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL1725037620080717

Bayer get their Brazilian

2008-07-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Bayer Leverkusen have signing 20-year-old midfielder Renato Soares de Oliveira Augusto from Brazilian outfit Flamengo.

Leverkusen had been searching for a new midfielder in Brazil for several weeks and they are happy with their capture, even if he was harder to sign than expected.

"They were very difficult and complex negotiations with Flamengo and a lot of praise goes to our general manager Michael Reschke who was able to conclude the transfer," said Bayer business manager Wolfgang Holzhauser on the club's website.

Renato Augusto has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side, joining for an undisclosed fee, and will join his new team-mates next week.

He becomes the first Brazilian at the club since Roque Junior left in 2006.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,3033_3803266,00.html

Pato - We Could Use Kakà in Beijing

2008-07-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Brazil’s 18-year-old starlet wishes his idol and AC Milan team-mate, Ricardo Kakà, were traveling to Beijing with him to participate in the Olympic Games.

Brazilian youngster Alexandre Pato, who joined AC Milan in January from SC Internacional for €22million, has spoke about Brazil’s national coach Carlos Dunga and his Olympic mission one month before the games get under way.

“Those who criticize Dunga don’t know what a great manager he is,” he said. “At the moment, however, I am entirely focused on the Olympics - it’s the dream of every player.”

Pato expressed delight over the presence of Ronaldinho in Brazil’s Olympic squad, but wishes Kakà were there too: “This experience will be all the more special for me because I will play alongside Ronaldinho. Kakà? He would have been important for Brazil. He wasn’t able to come because of his age and because Milan wasn’t obligated to let him come.”

Brazil will compete in the competition’s Group C against hosts China, New Zealand and Belgium.

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=770299

Confirmed: Kaka misses Olympic Games

2008-07-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

AC Milan confirmed through a statement they won't release Kaka to take part of next Olympic Games; instead, they did release Alexandre Pato and Rodrigo Digao.

AC Milan ratified through a new statement (they issued a statement last May) their refusal to release Brazilian player Kaka to be part of upcoming Olympic Games.

This way, the player ruled out the team owner Silvio Berlusconi, who said he was not going to China because he was tired.

Last May, AC Milan stated through counselor Adriano Galliani that they will "never" release Kaka to join Brazil Olympic team since he is above 23 for he needs a permission from the team.

Conversely, the Milan-based team did release U-23 players Alexander Pato and Rodrigo Digao.

http://www.sportsya.com/english/news.php/Kaka_will_miss_next_Olympic_Games_but_Alexander_Pato_Rodrigo_Digao_will_go.html?id_estruc=283&id=182082

Kaka still experiencing pain after knee surgery, expects to be fit by mid-July

2008-07-03T06:12:00.000-07:00

AC Milan's playmaker Kaka says he is still in pain after undergoing knee surgery, but that he's on track to rejoin the Serie A team to prepare for the upcoming season.

The 26-year-old Brazilian, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery in Rio de Janeiro on May 23, made a short trip to Milan to film a commercial, Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport reported Tuesday.

"I'm doing physiotherapy and I am satisfied," Kaka told Gazzetta. "The knee still hurts a bit, but I am sure it will improve soon."

Kaka said he would be fit by July 16, when Milan will assemble to begin training for the next season. Due to the surgery, the player was dropped from Brazil's team for two World Cup qualifiers last month.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/01/sports/EU-SOC-Kaka-Knee-Surgery.php

São Paulo Want Hernanes Future Resolved

2008-06-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

São Paulo are unhappy that Barcelona will not make a final push to sign Hernanes or leave him alone because they believe the speculation is unsettling him.

The highly-rated midfielder starred in Brazil's pre-Olympic Games encounter against a Rio de Janeiro select side and is set to travel to Beijing for the tournament in August.

Before then, however, Barça's interest has caused him unrest and since making a second offer of €12m that was refused, the Blaugrana have not made contact.

"I know that it is very that people keep saying he could be going and nothing is decided," bemoaned São Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho, Sport report.

"I just hope that a firm offer arrives so that he can go abroad, but it is making him dizzy that he is being told one thing and then another."

The Brazilian club have insisted that they will not accept less than €25m for Hernanes' services, but an offer of around €15m should bring them to the negotiating table.

Barcelona are keen on the playmaker, but have not made a final push because they are still pursuing Aleksandr Hleb and will not sign both players this summer.

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=747820

Dunga staying with Brazil

2008-06-24T15:35:00.001-07:00

Dunga has reiterated he has no intention of stepping down as coach of Brazil.

The former World Cup winner is enduring a tough time at the head of the Selecao, capped by Sunday's unconvincing performance from the Under-23 side in a 1-0 friendly win over a combined Rio de Janeiro team as a warm-up for the Olympics.

That followed a 2-0 defeat to Paraguay and a 0-0 draw with Argentina for the senior side in the World Cup qualifiers, as well as a friendly loss at the hands of Venezuela.

The results have left fans and media questioning Dunga's position, but he said: "I have a job to do here and we're doing it.

"People question the results, but they don't remember that most of the players were on holidays in their respective leagues.

"The same thing happened with (Carlos Alberto) Parreira, with (Mario) Zagallo and even with Felipao (Luiz Felipe Scolari).

"Are we all wrong?"

Perreira coached Brazil to glory in the 1994 World Cup, Zagallo in 1970 and Scolari in 2002.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/overseas/other/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=international_feed/08/06/23/SOCCER_Bra-Brazil_Dunga.html&TEAMHD=foreign

Soccer > World Cup Qualifier: Riquelme upset with Brazil result

2008-06-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Argentina playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme believes they deserved to beat Brazil in the closely contested goalless draw yesterday after dominating the second half.

Riquelme feels the Albiceleste had the better chances and more possession and should have secured all three points.

“In the second half we were better than our opponents and had some very clear chances to win but failed to find the net,” said Riquelme.

One of striker Julio Cruz’s attempts hit the woodwork.

Lionel Messi also had two chances in stoppage time.

“The best thing we did in the match is what we always do, move the ball around well. In the second period we had a lot more possession than them and when we have the ball we always feel calmer,” said Riquelme.

After the 1-1 draw with Ecuador at home on Sunday, Riqueme admitted it was never going to take much for Argentina to improve and he was not too unhappy with the display.

“We knew we could not play worse than Sunday and that made us relax ahead of this game. It is good because we played against a great team, one of the best in the world and to play them is not easy,” he said.

“We are happy with our game and with the team we have, but we are not happy with the draw. We played well and wanted to win and I think from our performance in the second half we were better than them.”

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/mm/Friday/Sports/20080620105242/Article/index_html

Soccer-Dunga promises big improvement against Argentina

2008-06-17T18:55:00.001-07:00

Brazil coach Dunga, whose side lost 2-0 to Paraguay in Sunday's World Cup qualifier, has promised a big improvement from his team when they face Argentina on Wednesday.

Dunga was criticised for his team's negative approach and the players for their performances in Asuncion, where Brazil were soundly beaten despite facing ten men for much of the second half.

"We will certainly play a lot better against Argentina than we did against Paraguay," said the coach during a tense news conference. "I know the personality of these players and the way they play."

Dunga, missing Kaka and Ronaldinho because of fitness problems, hinted that he would avoid making wholesale changes for Wednesday's match.

"We've played with this midfield before, we've won and we've lost. Sometimes, a change in attitude is better than a change of player. We're not going to change our entire way of working because of one game."

Brazil have taken eight points from five games in the South American qualifying group and are fourth in the table, behind Paraguay, Argentina and Colombia.

They have won their last three games against Argentina by three-goal margins.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKB25271620080616

Brazil, Argentina set for a lively qualifier

2008-06-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

The first week of Euro 2008 has produced its share of quality soccer, but on Wednesday the international bar will be raised when Brazil hosts Argentina in a World Cup 2010 qualifier in Belo Horizonte.

While the Europeans typically err on the side of caution in Switzerland and Austria, the South Americans will almost certainly take the opposite approach in Brazil. Rather than backing up to their own goal, Brazil and Argentina live by the mantra of going at opposing defenders with the kind of passionate conviction that is all too rare these days.

That doesn't take away from the engaging play of Portugal, Croatia, The Netherlands and Spain at Euro 2008. But even partisans of those teams will concede that no European nation attacks with the same vigor and efficiency as the Brazilians and Argentines. This will be the ninth meeting between the teams this decade, with the previous eight games averaging 3.75 goals. By comparison, the first 16 games of Euro 2008 averaged 2.43 goals.

"I don't like the European championship," Argentina coach Alfio Basile said Thursday at a news conference in Buenos Aires. "As always, the Europeans play firstly to qualify [for the knockout phase]."

Jeff Rusnak Jeff Rusnak Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

Argentina and Brazil, meanwhile, play entirely to their attacking strengths, even against each other. The trend of late has been for Argentina to dominate possession in the midfield while Brazil gets the goals through individual brilliance. Brazil has outscored the Argentines 20-10 in compiling a 6-2 advantage since 2000, with the most recent win being last year's 3-0 thrashing in the Copa America final.

Brazil has beaten Argentina's A team in the last two Copa finals, despite being at less than full strength. In fact, it appears as though the Brazilians have a hex of sorts on the Argentines, whose two wins in this decade came in World Cup qualifiers played in Buenos Aires. Brazil, which leads the all-time series 35-34 with 23 draws, has won in London, Peru, Venezuela and twice at home during that same period.

The 2007 Copa final was especially galling for Argentina, which had scored 16 goals in five games leading up to the final. Brazil coach Dunga, sensing his team was outmanned for once, stifled the Argentina attack by having his team commit 37 fouls, many of them on midfield playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.

That tactic may not play well in front a home crowd Wednesday, even though Dunga will be short-handed again because of injuries to Kaka and Ronaldinho. As always with Brazil, there are options. According to a news report out of Brazil, Dunga may start Robinho alongside Luis Fabiano, who scored 24 goals for Sevilla last season in La Liga.

The only omission for Argentina will be Carlos Tevez, who Basile is resting after his season at Manchester United. Riquelme didn't play during a two-game tour of the U.S., but he'll be in Belo Horizonte along with veteran midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, and 20-year-old forwards Lionel Messi and Sergio "Kun" Aguero (19 goals for Atletico Madrid).

Before playing each other, the teams play South American qualifiers today, with Brazil at first-place Paraguay and Argentina hosting Ecuador. It's a foregone conclusion that Brazil and Argentina will be among the four South American teams that will play in South Africa two summers from now, but that can't possibly diminish the drama of Wednesday's match.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-flsprusnak15sbjun15,0,6299948.column

Alexandre Pato Is the Record Smasher

2008-06-05T12:31:00.000-07:00

Alexander Rodrigues Da Silva, more widely known as Alexander Pato, was born on the 2nd of September, 1989, in Pato Branco, Brazil.

Pato started playing football when he was seven years old, playing indoor soccer.

At just 16 years of age he was the star of the Brazilian championship. In November of 2006 he was chosen to be part of the senior International squad.

In his very first match he needed only one minute to score his first goal.

In his second game he broke an old Pele record becoming the youngest player ever to score in a FIFA tournament. He scored for Brazil's Internacional, who would go on to become World Club Champions that year, beating Ronaldinho's Barcelona in the final.

On the 28th of August, 2007, Milan spent 20 million euros to buy Pato.

In his very first match for Milan he did it again and scored a debut goal on his very first touch of the ball.

In 2008 Pato was called to the Brazilian national side in a friendly against Sweden. Sure enough, he did it again, scoring in his debut match after only being on the field for minutes, joining only a handful of greats to score for Brazil on their debut, alongside the likes of Zico and Pele.

Surely this bright talent is destined to break many football records in a very bright future. At 18 he has already done more than most dream of in a career.

http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/26978-Alexandre-Pato--The-record-smasher

IOC ANNOUNCEMENT MAKES RIO DE JANEIRO A CANDIDATE CITY TO HOST THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES

2008-06-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

Athens – In an event carried out this Wednesday, in Athens, Greece, the International Olympic Committee announced that Rio de Janeiro is one of the candidate cities to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The announcement made by the International Olympic Committee Director Comunication, Giselle Davies, also named Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid as cities that are able to host the 2016 Games. Doha, Praga and Baku were eliminated by the IOC.

The Brazilian delegation present at the announcement included Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee and Rio 2016 Bid Committee; Orlando Silva Júnior, Minister of Sports; Sergio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro; César Maia, Mayor of the City of Rio de Janeiro; and João Havelange, FIFA President of Honor and Senior Member of IOC. The following also attended the event: Carlos Roberto Osório, Rio 2016 Secretary-General; Leonardo Gryner, Rio 2016 Marketing and Communication Director; Edson Menezes, representative of the Rio 2016 Business Council; Ricardo Leyser, Federal Government Secretary; Eduardo Paes, Sports and Tourism State Secretary; and Ruy César, Rio 2016 Special Secretary. As for Rio 2007, collaboration among the three governmental levels will be crucial for the success of the Rio 2016 project.

For the president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, the IOC announcement proves the quality of the Rio de Janeiro bid. “We are very happy with IOC’s decision because it is the first time Rio de Janeiro is a finalist in the effort to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This shows the IOC recognizes the development of Brazilian sports and trusts that Brazil is able to stage the Olympic Games. But just the first battle has been won. The other cities are extremely strong and we have to prepare an excellent dossier of our Olympic project. We will work together, with the three governments – federal, state and city -, towards the 2016 Games. The in Brazil will impact millions of teenagers in South America. The fact that we are one of the finalists increases our responsibility to come up to the Olympic world’s trust and expectations in regard to the Rio de Janeiro bid,” stated Nuzman.

The Minister of Sports Orlando Silva pointed out that Brazil will make every effort for Rio to be the 2016 host city. “This is a great time for Brazilian sports. Undoubtedly, IOC’s decision is reflects the quality of the Rio de Janeiro bid. Brazil offers highly favorable settings to host the Games, with economic stability, consolidated democracy and a cycle of sustainable economic development. The Rio de Janeiro bid is a project that mobilizes the entire Brazilian society. We are committed to working in partnership with the Brazilian Olympic Committee, the private sector and the State and City governments to stage in Rio de Janeiro the best Olympic Games in history, with the trademark of happiness and competence of the Brazilian people,” explained the Minister.

Governor Sergio Cabral stated that the State of Rio will do whatever it takes to host the Olympic Games. “The presence of Rio de Janeiro among the finalist cities shows the level of trust of the international sports community in Brazil, especially after the Rio 2007 Pan American Games. The bid dossier is being prepared to meet all IOC’s requirements. The Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro will provide whatever is necessary for the 2016 Olympic Games,” Cabral stated.

Mayor Cesar Maia pointed out the importance of the Rio 2007 Pan American Games in this process. “The Rio de Janeiro City government is both honored and happy because it did its homework to defend its city. To have won the bid for the 2007 Pan American Games, the investments made to stage it and the quality of its organization were certainly essential for the success of the event. The new challenge for 2016 just increases our enthusiasm and commitment,” said Cesar Maia.

In Brazil, the president of the Brazilian Paralympic Committee, Vital Severino, celebrated IOC’s decision. “We were confident we would move to the candidacy phase because the Rio de Janeiro bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games is quite solid. We have a great challenge ahead of us – that of bringing the Olympic and Paralympic Games to South America for the first time. The Brazilian Paralympic Committee is part of a strong current that roots for Rio, believes in Rio and, above all, works for Rio to bring the planet’s greatest sports event to our country,” he stated.

Now, the candidate cities will prepare a dossier detailing the 19 candidacy items. This dossier will be delivered to IOC by February 12, 2009. In April and May 2009 an Inspection Commission will visit the cities and prepare a report, which will serve as basis for the IOC members to vote. The election of city that will host the 2016 Games is scheduled for October 2, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Check the main points of the Rio 2016 project:

Financing – The budget of Rio’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games is US$42 million. The financing of the candidacy will be equally divided between the three governmental levels: Federal, State and City, and the private sector will participate in order to reduce public investments.

Sports Venues – All competitions will take place within the city limits of Rio de Janeiro. Rio 2016 presents a compact and operationally efficient Master Plan having 50% of the competition venues within 5 to 10 minutes from the Olympic Village and 80% of the venues within 30 minutes. The only sports venues outside Rio will be the regional cities for the football preliminaries, which are planned for Brasília, Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Salvador. The confirmation of the football Olympic cities is dependent on FIFA’s final decision for the 2014 World Cup host cities.

The Rio Olympic Project creates an Olympic Park in Barra. This is the concept used in the last four Olympic projects (Sydney, Athens, Beijing and London). Fundamental non-competition venues (Olympic Village, Media Villages, MPC, IBC and Official IOC and IPC Hotels) will also be located in Barra close to the Olympic Park. The Olympic Training Center will be built in this area, no matter if the Rio bid wins or not.

The venues plan proposes a total of 34 venues within four zones:

Barra: At the heart of the concept is the Barra zone, located in of newer and fastest growing regions of the city, framed by spectacular mountains, beaches and lagoons. This area will house 20 of the sports (56%) in 14 venues as well as key non-competition venues.

Copacabana: With its natural beauties and public spaces, the region will stage 8 sports to be carried out in 5 venues, including the Copacabana beach itself. This Zone is the site for a range of outdoor events with dramatic, iconic scenery creating broadcast and spectator appeal.

Maracanã: 4 venues will be located in Maracanã, taking advantage of the renovation of the complex for the FIFA 2014 World Cup and of the fact that it is located in the central area of the city demanding investments for urban recovery, including the Port region. This region will house 5 sports and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in the Country’s most emblematic sports stage.

Deodoro: The Deodoro zone is the target of social development projects for its high concentration of young people and was chosen to stage 7 sports for having successfully hosted several competitions (equestrian sports, shooting and modern pentathlon) during the Rio 2007 Pan American Games. The main characteristic of this region is the great availability of green areas, reason why it was chosen to receive the X Park. The X Park will be a huge space for Olympic and adventure sports, meeting a desire of the International Olympic Committee to provide increased connection with the new generation. It will host the Canoe-kayak (slalom), Cycling (BMX and Mountain Bike) competitions. In addition to these venues, a Modern Pentathlon National Center will be built, using the existing facilities constructed for the Rio 2007 Pan American Games.

Transportation – The transportation solutions developed together with the Federal, State and City governments meet the long-term needs of the city and are compatible with the time required for their construction and the Country’s investment capacity. The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic projects are in accordance with the city’s transportation development plans and are supported by the three levels of government involved.

One of the main solutions adopted for the Olympic and Paralympic Games is the implementation of three high-capacity transport systems BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), in the following corridors: Barra-Deodoro, Barra-North Zone and Barra-South Zone. The deployment of BRT systems presents feasible costs and faster execution when compared to underground subway. Thus, priority is being given to mass transportation to meet the demand by the population in general and by the Games spectators. These corridors are an important, long-waited-for legacy to the city.

The transportation planning for Rio 2016 is oriented not only to the improvement of the city’s transport structure or to the implementation of new projects but also to the development and implementation of technological and operational measures (rationalization of public transportation, discouragement of use of private vehicles, improvement of the traffic control system, creation of a single agency to manage city transportation, among others). In addition, the Olympic Games will take place during school and university holidays, which naturally reduces traffic demands in the city.

Accommodations – The city of Rio de Janeiro will offer 49,570 rooms for the 2016 Olympic Games in hotels, two media villages, referees accommodations and cruise ships, among others. This quantity comfortably meets IOC’s requirements of 40,000 rooms for mandatory for Games constituents.

Environment – According to the project presented this Tuesday, one of the major environmental legacies of the Olympic Games will be the environmental awareness program targeting the wellness of the future generations through the development of sustainability-promoting actions covering the following aspects: climatic changes, waste management and handling, biodiversity, social and cultural inclusion, health and quality of life. The cleaning of the Jacarepaguá and Barra lagoons will be one of the priorities in the environmental agenda of Rio 2016, which will benefit the communities around it.

Security – The internationally praised Pan American Games experience will be used as a platform for the security plan to be implemented for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The safety provided by Rio de Janeiro during large scale events is traditionally recognized, as it was proved during the Rio 2007. For the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, security will be managed in an integrated way, under an unified command, associated to a social integration policy with local communities. This program will be improved to meet the Brazilian society’s and the International Olympic Committee’s requirements. The investments in security to be made for the FIFA 2014 World Cup will be a guarantee of advanced delivery of a series of projects in this area. Forty thousand agents will be used in the Rio 2016 security plan.

http://www.sportsfeatures.com/index.php?section=pp&action=show&id=46925

Iraqi Refugee Gets Pass to Become Soccer Star in Brazil

2008-06-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Soccer player Abu Taha A Brazilian soccer team from Brazil's capital Brasília hired its first international football player last week. The team is Brazsat Football Club. The player is the Iraqi Ali Khaled Abu Taha, aged 18.

The youth, who spent the last four years in Ruweished refugee camp, in Jordan, is now practicing to play in the "C" Series Professional Football Champion in the Federal District, where the Brazilian capital is based, in June. "My dream is to play in a large Brazilian team," says Taha.

The new member of the team arrived in Brazil at the end of last year together with 116 Palestinian refugees that the government of Brazil decided to receive. Since November, Taha had been living with his parents in the city of Mogi das Cruzes, in Greater São Paulo, where he played with his friend in an amateur team.

"I am the first Arab player in Brazil and am very happy," he said. Taha does not yet speak fluent Portuguese, but he already understands the language and can already produce many phrases.

The contract with Taha is for two years. According to the club president in Brasília, João Gilberto Vaz, it was an Al Jazeera TV correspondent in Brazil who informed him about the young Palestinian talents.

"I therefore decided to bet and bring Ali to my team," said Vaz. According to him, Taha's arrival is going to open a new phase for business between Brazil and the Arab countries. "Many Brazilians leave to play in Arab teams. Now, we are going to show that it is possible to do the opposite too," he said.

Vaz believes that Taha may grow in football and go to other larger teams. "Now our priority is to train him and show that it is possible to adapt an Arab player to a Brazilian team," he said. The president at the club also stated that Taha would be an example to show Arabs and Brazilians that it is also possible to work together in football.

For the time being, Taha is training daily from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm, with Sundays off. According to the team supervisor, Ricardo Beserra, the youth is now working on stronger physical rehabilitation over the first few days and is being worked on in his abilities.

"I need to practice very much and need help. I want to become famous," said Taha. Practice sessions are at the Foreign Ministry Employee Association's Club (ASMRE), where the teams training center is located.

The Brazsat Football Club team was established last year and is betting on the 2008 edition of the "C" Series of the Professional Football Championship, which begins on June 15. The club, which is named after Brazsat Commercial Space Services, in the area of technology, the company belonging to it's founder, is seeking partnerships with the Middle East and Europe.

The club also plans to offer its youths schooling and English language teaching in the case of those presenting potential to play abroad. Another novelty at the club is bringing foreigners to play. Among the several projects is the establishment of an International Juvenile Football Tournament.

http://www.brazzilmag.com/content/view/9363/1/

Robinho lifts Brazil to beat Canada in soccer friendly

2008-06-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

Robinho's second-half strike lifted Brazil to a 3-2 victory over Canada here Saturday in a friendly tuneup for their upcoming qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

Robinho scored in the 63rd minute to break a 2-2 deadlock.

With the score knotted at 2-2, Canadian midfielder Julian De Guzman tried pass the ball back from just short of midfield, but his attempt sailed behind his intended target.

Robinho took it from there, collecting the ball, dribbling past goalkeeper Pat Onstad and drilling the ball into the back of the net.

De Guzman's 56th-minute goal had evened the match at 2-2.

Diego had opened the scoring for Brazil in the fourth minute, and Canada's Rob Friend equalized in the 11th. Luis Fabiano had put Brazil back in front in the 45th.

Despite De Guzman's one miscue, Canada coach Dale Mitchell had praise for the player.

"I thought he had an excellent game," Mitchell said. "He does a lot of work in midfield, he can distribute the ball, scored a good goal, perhaps could have had another one in the first half on his left foot.

"A mistake like that can happen to anybody, but, in general, another excellent performance from Julian De Guzman."

Brazilian coach Dunga credited both clubs for a tightly contested match.

"It was a tough game," Dunga said. "We knew Canada is a very disciplined team. They have two or three plays that they repeat to perfection. It was a difficult game and a good test. Good preparation for Brazil."

The victory was a triumphant start for Brazil in their brief US tour, which will include a match against Venezuela in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on June 6.

It was also the first victory for Brazil against Canada in three meetings between the two countries.

In the Copa Confederaciones in 2001, they played to a goalless draw, and the drew 1-1 in a friendly at Edmonton, Canada, in 1994.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gUMXAyN4ZC6xawXK0ZmZ0MTWqetw

Kaka leaves hospital after knee surgery

2008-05-25T08:51:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-23T17:36:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-20T10:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-06T21:54:00.003-07:00

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.

2008-05-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

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

Pato: I Want To Go To The Olympics

2008-04-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

AC Milan's newest golden boy Alexandre Pato has announced that it would be fulfilling a dream of his to represent Brazil in the Beijing Olympics this summer.

The teenage sensation has been an absolute smash since joining the Rossoneri from Internacional last summer, and he is hoping to perform similar heroics for his country on Chinese soil.

“I want to go to the Olympics,” revealed the hyper-talented 18-year-old. “I dream of winning a gold medal for Brazil, but it depends on Milan.”

“In the future I am counting on winning lots of trophies in Rossonero and a World Cup with the Selecao. I also want to become the best player in the world.”

The powers that be at Milan will not have been too enthused to learn of Pato's olympic desires, just as they were resistant to the same claims made by Kaka last month.

Although the Olympics conclude before the start of the 08/09 Serie A season, the Rossoneri are still hoping to secure fourth place this season which would necissitate them to secure qualification to the Champions League proper by undergoing a pre-season preliminary phase.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=670168

Brazil to play soccer friendlies against Canada, Venezuela in US

2008-04-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Brazil will play friendlies against Canada and Venezuela in the United States in May and June.

The five-time world champions will face Canada in Seattle on May 31, and Venezuela in Boston on June 6, the Brazilian soccer confederation said Monday.

They will be Brazil's third and fourth friendlies this year. It beat Ireland 1-0 in Dublin on Feb. 6, and defeated Sweden by the same score in London on March 26.

The matches will take place before Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay on June 14 and archrival Argentina on June 17.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jD0VczXnx8TFFvEyItJ4ZgnW4H9g

Brazil keen to boost air and rail transportation for hosting 2014 World Cup

2008-04-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: Brazil plans to expand air traffic and build a bullet train between its two biggest cities in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.

Tourism Minister Marta Suplicy said on Friday the ministry had already begun planning for the Cup, the second to be held in Brazil. The country has won a record five World Cups but hosted just one, in 1950.

"The order for us in tourism is just one: Plan," she said at a news conference. "The 2014 World Cup is a great opportunity for the country to raise its visibility before the world."

Efficient preparation also could boost Brazil's status as a world-class sports venue, she said. Rio de Janeiro successfully staged the Pan American Games last year and aspires to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

A plan for expanding regional air traffic will be submitted to the Defense Ministry, Suplicy said. And the chief of staff of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is working on plans to build a bullet train between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

In 2006, 26 billion people in 240 countries watched the World Cup in Germany, Suplicy said, citing figures from FIFA, soccer's governing body. The numbers are expected to grow for the 2010 Cup in South Africa.

To prepare for the Cup, Germany invested 10 billion euros (US$15.8 billion) and created 40,000 permanent jobs and drew 24.5 million visitors from 2003 to 2006, she said.

"We're here to listen to the experiences of specialists, learn how each country prepared, what worked (and) what could have been better," Suplicy said.

Ricardo Teixeira, president of the Brazilian Soccer Confederation, said Brazil was way ahead of other nations that hosted the World Cup.

"We're already planning for seven years a lot that wasn't planned in other countries at this time," he said. "This is the right way."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/25/sports/LA-SPT-SOC-WCup-2014-Brazil.php

Expect wit and grit from the Miracle Man

2008-04-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

In Rio de Janeiro, they call Joel Santana “The Fireman” and the “Miracle Man”.

And after he rescued Brazil’s biggest club from relegation, the fans canonised him as “San Joel de Flamengo” (Saint Joel of Flamengo).

Santana is a fixer: when a big Rio club is in crisis, they call him. His speciality is restoring lost morale with charismatic, unpretentious authority.

“Joel is a geezer,” says O Globo’s London correspondent Fernando Duarte. “He is funny, laid-back, plain-speaking: a typical Carioca (a citizen of Rio de Janeiro). He loves walking on the beach and talking to fans. He’s a man of the people. He never wears a suit: the most sophisticated clothing I’ve seen him wearing is a Polo shirt,” says Duarte.

“Joel gets close to his players, and identifies with them. I wouldn’t be surprised if the first thing he did in SA was invite all his players to a barbecue at his house.”

Even that coach-hater Romario (who played under him at Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama) loves Santana.

And this week, his Flamengo players greeted the news of his imminent departure for SA with shock and dismay.

“We are going to lose a great father,” said midfielder Toro. “But we will try to win for him and to give our lives for him in the Copa Libertadores.”

“I feel like I am losing someone at home,” said rightback Leonardo Moura.

There’s clearly much more to Santana than his chaotic CV suggests. He has changed jobs 26 times in 27 years, and he’s been fired four times .

In Europe or SA, a career history like Santana’s would scream incompetence, or disloyalty, or nastiness, or all of the above. But in the endless pandemonium of elite Brazilian football, the rules are different. Coaches get hired and fired at the drop of a carnival wig.

“His record is totally normal for a top Brazilian coach,” says the BBC’s Brazilian football correspondent, Tim Vickery. “It’s no reflection on him — it reflects the nature of Brazilian football. It’s such a pressurised environment that lasting one year at a big club is an achievement.

“Santana has done a fantastic job at Flamengo, and he’s on course to win the Rio state championship this year. But he could quite easily lose a few games and find himself out of work. That’s why the Bafana job holds a big attraction for him, because it offers job security.”

Vickery says Santana has become known as “a specialist in human relations”.

His diplomacy is especially prized among the ego-ridden superclubs of Rio de Janeiro state, where he has spent most of his career, winning four state championships and one national title.

Santana has had four stints as head coach of Flamengo, and three at both Vasco da Gama and Fluminense.

But can he can replicate his success in another continent, let alone another Brazilian city?

Santana’s only stint at a Sao Paulo club, Corinthians, in 1997, was brief and fruitless. He enjoyed more success in Bahia state, where he won two state titles with Vitoria and one with Bahia.

Vickery says Santana must have picked up basic “football English” when he coached for eight years in the Middle East in the 1980s — at Dubai club Al- Wasl and Saudi club Al-Hilal.

That was a long time ago, and an intensive refresher course will surely be in order.

Duarte reckons Santana’s rusty English need not be a huge problem: “ Zico is doing very well at Turkish club Fenerbahce with the help of a translator.”

But more importantly, what kind of football can fans expect from Santana’s Bafana? According to both Vickery and Duarte, Santana shares Carlos Alberto Parreira’s first tactical priority: defensive organisation.

“Contemporary Brazilian coaches are pragmatists: they don’t survive otherwise,” says Vickery. “And the idea that the Brazilian game has always been carefree was never true anyway. It was mythologised.”

So get ready for cautious, safety-first football a la Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez.

“Organisation is Santana’s strength,” says Duarte. “He isn’t afraid to put everybody behind the ball. When Flamengo had to play ugly, they did. And he can be a very stubborn guy.”

Duarte remembers an important Flamengo game in which Santana picked three defensive midfielders. When the press complained, Santana explained that he wanted the holding trio to be his “SWAT team”.

Crucially, Parreira combined his defensive pragmatism with an insightful commitment to possession football: he understood that because Bafana lacked the defensive technique to absorb endless pressure, the team needed to keep the ball by building attacks patiently.

Parreira is reportedly not a close associate of Santana, but he will offer detailed advice on the strengths and limitations of his team, as will Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane.

Leal did most of the talent- spotting under Parreira , and he and Mosimane conducted most training sessions.

Vickery believes that Santana will have no difficulty slotting into a technical team without changing the existing vision.

“That’s exactly why he he’s been recommended,” he says. “It’s an old tradition in Brazilian football to work within a technical commission, where the head coach is almost a figurehead, supported by a team of technical specialists that sometimes even include psychiatrists and dentists. Santana will apply the charisma and strength of personality.”

Duarte admits that Santana’s appointment surprised many Brazilian football pundits.

“We were all scratching our heads a bit. He’s such a local guy, so linked with Rio culture. If they wanted a blue-ribbon Brazilian coach, you’d expect them to go for someone like Wanderlei Luxemburgo of Palmeiras, who has coached Real Madrid and Brazil in the past,” says Duarte.

“It’s a risky choice. Having said that, Santana has a great reputation for getting results. He may be perfect for the job, but it’s hard to say.”

The biggest risk Santana poses is that of excessively functional football. After savouring Parreira’s fusion of elegance and caution, Bafana’s followers want more of the same.

If Santana strikes that balance, he could yet become “San Joel de Bafana”.

http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Sport/Article.aspx?id=757113

Brazil recall on the cards for Adriano

2008-04-19T15:44:00.000-07:00

Brazil coach Dunga is considering recalling Adriano after the striker's hot start to the year for Sao Paulo, where he is on loan from Inter Milan.

Adriano, beset by physical and reported alcohol problems in the past 18 months, has only played once for Brazil under Dunga, in last year's 2-0 friendly defeat by Portugal.

"He has evolved, he is improving a lot with Sao Paulo," Dunga said in a television interview on Monday.

"He had a few problems at the start but he is getting back to being the Adriano that we all know.

"Without doubt, if he goes back to being the Adriano that he was before, he will have chances because he is a player with strength, power and he scores goals."

Adriano, known as the "Emperor," has scored 14 goals for Sao Paulo this year, 11 in the Paulista championship and three in the Libertadores Cup.

He scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Palmeiras on Sunday, although the first caused controversy as it seemed to strike his hand on its way into the goal.

Adapting the phrase used by Diego Maradona after his infamous goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup, Adriano said: "It was the hand of the Emperor."

Adriano appears to have overcome a troubled start with the Brazilian champions.

After signing for Sao Paulo last December, he promised to turn over a new leaf, only to be photographed at a pop concert in Rio de Janeiro holding a beer can two days later.

A week later, he was involved in a car accident in Rio. Although nobody was injured, it happened in the early hours of the morning, raising more suspicions he had been out on the town.

In February he was fined 40 percent of a month's wages after arriving late for training, then leaving early and threatening a cameraman.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7462459,00.html

Former Brazil striker Romario retires - this time for good, he says

2008-04-17T07:30:00.003-07:00

Former Brazil striker Romario has officially announced his retirement - again.

The 42-year-old striker said he would not return to competitive play and had ended a 23-year career that includes the 1994 World Cup title, the FIFA player of the year award and more than 1,000 goals, by his own count. And, unlike several previous retirement announcements when he later changed his mind, Romario insisted he wouldn't turn back this time.

"My time is over," he said at the launch of a DVD showing 910 of his goals on Monday. "Officially, I might play a farewell game with the jersey of the national team or one of the three clubs I defended in Rio," he added, referring to former national champions Vasco, Flamengo and Fluminense.

Romario's contract with Vasco ended last month. He said he hadn't played since November and was four kilograms over his playing weight, which made his return difficult at an age when most players have already stopped.

He told a Brazilian newspaper last month he was retiring, but then recanted the next day.

Romario burst on to the soccer scene in 1985 with Vasco, with a sprinter's speed and masterly ball control that made him a worthy successor to Vasco's all-star striker Roberto "Dynamite."

Three years later, he was sold to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for US$5 million - a huge sum at the time - and was later inducted into the club's hall of fame.

In 1993, he jumped to Spain's Barcelona, where former Dutch all-star and coach Johan Cruyff dubbed him a "genius of the goal area." Romario led his new club to the Spanish league title and was named the world's outstanding player by FIFA in 1994.

After a falling-out with Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, Romario returned to the national team in 1994 and led Brazil to its fourth World Cup title, teaming up with striker Bebeto to end a 24-year drought for soccer's top prize.

In 1995, he returned to Brazil and played for rivals Vasco, Fluminense and Flamengo. His standout play sparked a national "draft Romario" campaign for the 2002 World Cup, but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari declined to name the player to the team that won its fifth Cup title that year.

Romario made his last foray abroad in 2003, playing for Al Saad in Qatar, Miami FC in the United States and Adelaide United in Australia. But he scored few goals and returned to Brazil in quest of his 1000th goal - a mark achieved only by the great Pele.

He reached the landmark last year, although FIFA officially gave him a much lower total. Romario's count included goals scored in amateur games, scrimmages and unofficial matches against small clubs.

As player-coach of Vasco, Romario remained a major attraction for fans even after he had lost his speed and stamina.

Last year, he tested positive for the banned substance Finasteride and was suspended for 120 days in December. Romario said he had used the hair-loss medicine Propecia, which contains Finasteride, and the Superior Tribunal of Sports Justice later accepted his claim that he did not take a performance-enhancing drug and lifted the suspension.

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5geRR7wFzkRKcZzBVqSb9Vsm1zOuw

Kaka tips English clubs for glory

2008-04-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Brazilian Fifa world player of the year Kaka believes any of the four English clubs could win the Champions League.

English teams have won the trophy only twice in the 15 years since the Premier League was formed but the AC Milan midfielder, 25, expects that to change.

He told BBC Sport: "Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all excellent and any of them could win it.

"I believe all the four English clubs have a great chance of making it all the way to the final in Moscow in May."

If one day I had to leave I would like to play in another big European team

AC Milan midfielder Kaka

All four English teams have a chance to progress when the quarter-final second legs take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with only one definitely going out because Liverpool face Arsenal.

Kaka, who won the competition with Milan in 2007, added: "In the last five or six years, English teams have improved a lot and they are consistently at a high level now.

"But you cannot rule out the other big clubs involved still, such as Barcelona."

Kaka, who is also the reigning Golden Ball winner and FifPro world player of the year, would not rule out playing for one of the Premier League's big clubs in the future.

606: DEBATE

Do you agree with Kaka's comments?

"I am very happy here in Milan but if one day I had to leave I would like to play in another big European team," confirmed the former Sao Paulo star.

"The biggest clubs are in Italy, England and Spain so it would be in one of these countries, although it is clear they play differently in these places.

"I can compare Spain to Brazil as they play a similar type of game, the way the players play.

"The leagues are very similar in the sense that all the teams play very tactically and it is very difficult to score goals.

"I think these three championships are the most important in the world at the present moment, all very good and competitive."

Kaka has played for Milan since 2003 when he signed from Sao Paulo for £4.25m. In his time in Italy he came up against England coach Fabio Capello many times - when the Italian was at Roma and Juventus.

KAKA FACTFILE

Born: 22/4/1982, Brasilia

Full name: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

Clubs: Sao Paulo, Milan

Major honours: Serie A (2004), Champions League (2007), Super Cup (2003, 2007) World Cup (2002)

Brazil: 59 apps, 22 goals

Kaka says he believes the Football Association have made a very shrewd appointment, despite the criticism they received for appointing another foreigner in the England post.

"I don't think there is any doubt that Fabio Capello is a very fine manager," said Kaka. "I believe he can win a lot with the England team in the time he spends as the national team manager.

"It would have been something new if Capello had been the first foreign coach with England but Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson has already been there.

"Brazil has always had a Brazilian coach and the same for Italy but in England it has happened before so it's not a big deal having a foreign coach."

Kaka has dropped below his usual sublime standards this season, with Milan lying in fifth place in Serie A and losing to Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League too.

But, despite his inconsistent form and a season disrupted by tendinitis in his knee, Kaka wants to experience the high of being named the world's best player again.

"It was a big honour to win the award, there are a lot of players in the world and to come first was a great feeling," he revealed.

Kaka

Kaka (left) has great expectations for fellow countryman Pato

"I'm very happy to have had that and I would like to win it again because the sensation of winning that type of award is unique.

"I don't think I am the best player in the world, I just think I'm one of the best, with others such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o."

Kaka also predicts his Brazilian team-mate at Milan, 18-year-old striking sensation Alexandre Pato, will join him as a winner of the top individual prize in football one day.

"As for Pato, he is an amazing player. He is very young though, only 18-years-old," commented Kaka.

"He has an incredible future ahead of him and he can do a lot of things with Milan. He needs to be allowed to grow and to improve without too much pressure on him."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7290977.stm

Happy To Stay

2008-04-08T15:41:00.000-07:00

Kaka has once again declared his happiness at Milan, while he has also predicted a massive future for team-mate Alexandre Pato.

The current European and World Footballer of the Year has endured something of a frustrating campaign due to injury.

With Milan struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, there have been fears that top players, like Kaka, may want to leave the club.

“I am very happy here in Milan, but if one day I had to leave I would like to play for another big European team,” he told BBC Sport.

“The biggest clubs are in Italy, England and Spain, so I would have to be in one of those countries, although it is clear that they play differently in these places.”

Pato

Kaka’s compatriot Alexandre Pato has enjoyed a wonderful start to his Milan career, having scored seven goals in 14 league appearances since his debut in January.

“As for Pato, he is an amazing player. But he is very young though at just 18-years-old,” he stated.

“He has an incredible future ahead of him and he can do a lot of things for Milan. He needs to be allowed to grow and to improve without too much pressure on him.”

Champions League

The English Premiership is dominating the Champions League this season, and Kaka believes that one of the four teams left have a great chance of winning the competition.

“Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all excellent and any of them could win it,” he noted.

“I believe that all four English clubs have a great chance of making it all the way to Moscow for the Final in May.

“In the last five or six years, English teams have improved a lot and they are consistently at a high level now. But you can’t rule out the other big clubs still involved, such as Barcelona.”

Capello

Finally, Kaka backed former AC Milan and Juventus coach Fabio Capello to turn around England's fortunes on the international stage.

"I don't think there is any doubt that Fabio Capello is a very fine manager," he added.

"I believe he can win a lot with the England team in the time he spends as the national team manager."

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=650259

Ronaldo in Brazil return hint

2008-04-08T11:48:00.000-07:00

Striker Ronaldo has hinted that he might attempt to reach full fitness playing for Flamengo in Brazil before returning to AC Milan.

The 31-year-old samba star has been ruled out of action since suffering a potentially career-threatening knee injury in February. And, despite facing another seven months on the sidelines, Ronaldo is already looking at how he can resume his playing career once the problem has healed.

The three-times World Player of the Year's contract at Milan in Italy will expire at the end of the season, but he hopes to be handed an extension despite his injury absence. However, Ronaldo has revealed that he could prove his fitness with a few months playing back in his homeland for Rio de Janeiro outfit Flamengo, who he supported as a boy and intimated that he would like to finish his career there in the past.

"I have a beautiful relationship with my team (Milan), the doors will always be open for me there, but I have to be up to it," Ronaldo told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"The idea is to play in Brazil for a few months, maybe at Flamengo, and if everything goes well, reappear in red and black (of Milan)."

http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=336560

Brazilian forward Edmundo to retire after 2008 season

2008-04-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Brazilian soccer star Edmundo said on Wednesday that he will retire from the game after 2008 season.

"When I am on vacation, my friends are at work. When my friends are on vacation, I am at work. I am getting tired of this. For this reason, I have decided to hang up my boots after this season," said the 37-year-old player.

Born on the 2nd of April in 1971, Edmundo has made his mark in Brazil's national soccer league. He began his career for Vasco in 1990.

Three years later, he left the team and went to Palmeiras where he was considered to be the team's key player. He helped the team win the Sao Paulo championship in 1993 and 1994.

After his stay with Palmeiras, he left for Flamengo and Corinthians and then returned to Vasco to help win the 1997 Brasileirao tournament, finishing as leading scorer with 29 goals.

As a member of the Brazilian national soccer team, Edmundo played 39 games, including the 1998 World Cup when Brazil lost to France by a score of 3-0 in the final.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/03/content_7910807.htm