Ronaldinho unlikely to be at World Cup

When the 32 World Cup coaches finalise their provisional squads today, one famous name not expected to be there is that of Ronaldinho.


The 30-year-old has not been called up by coach Dunga this season and it will be a shock if he is included in the squad, which will be named late tonight.

The AC Milan striker desperately wants to accompany Brazil to South Africa, but he's not holding out much hope.

"I have had problems with the national team, but it hasn't been my fault," he told the Italian gossip magazine Chi last month. "I can't imagine a World Cup without Ronaldinho on the field. It seems impossible to me."

In a TV interview at the weekend, he declared: "I'm ready to go to the World Cup. I know that I'm just one of Dunga's options."

Dunga is unlikely to be swayed. He has not selected Ronaldinho since April last year, when the player made his 87th and likely final appearance for Brazil.

Dunga was less than enthusiastic when commenting on Ronaldinho's prospects after a 2-0 win over Ireland in a friendly in March.

"He's had his chance for Brazil, now it's up to the coaching staff to make the decision," said the coach.

Ronaldinho, a two-goal hero in 2002 when Brazil won the World Cup, was one of Brazil's biggest disappointments in 2006, when the five-times champions were knocked out in the quarterfinals by France.

The Brazilian squad will also reveal whether Dunga is prepared to gamble on Santos youngsters Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, who this year have shown the flair which was missing in goalless World Cup-qualifying draws at home to Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela.