Pato - We Could Use Kakà in Beijing

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

Brazil soccer confederation acknowledges Kaka unlikely for Beijing Olympics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kaka, Robinho, and Juan to the Olympics

Brazil's coach, Dunga, decided those three footballers should be a resource for the Under-23 team which will participate in the Beijing Olympic Games 2008.Ronaldinho is out.

According to the column Panorama Deportivo from the tabloid O Globo, Barcelona's boy will only be called to take part in a competition which the national team has never clinched only if Kaka, Robinho or Juan reject the offer or suffer an injury.

Dunga will be the first Brazilian coach to fill in the Olympic lineup with three players over 23 years old, just as rules authorize.

The aim of such resources is to increase the possibilities of clinching the gold medal, the only major trophy that the countless world champions have not captured.

According to Panorama Deportivo, one of the most renowned sources of sport information in the country, Dunga has already a mental lineup towards Beijing.

Such lineup will comprise Renan (Internacional); Rafinha (Schalke 04-GER), Juan (Roma-ITA), Breno (Bayern Munich-GER), Marcelo (Real Madrid-SPA); Lucas (Liverpool-ENG), Anderson (Manchester-ENG), Kaka (Milan-ITA); Alexandre Pato (Milan-ITA), and Robinho (Real Madrid-SPA).

The only doubt would still be the fourth midfielder, position for which Dunga wants one who is able to cover up the wings.

All the names included on the list, but for Juan, were called on by Dunga for the friendly match against Ireland on February 6th.

http://www.sportsya.com/english/news.php/Kaka_Robinho_and_Juan_will_be_the_older_one_to_play_for_Brazil_in_Beijing_2008.html?id_estruc=283&id=169981