Soccer-Ronaldinho recalled by Brazil, Amauri overlooked

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