End of the Road for Ronaldinho

It increasingly looks like Ronaldinho will not be going to South Africa this summer. The AC Milan man, who is now 29, has not played for the national team since the beginning of 2009 – and it looks like that won’t be changing any time soon. The gifted playmaker was left out of the 22-man squad announced by coach Carlos Dunga for Brazil’s friendly against Ireland on March 2nd – its final friendly before the World Cup. Clearly Dunga has not been as impressed as we’ve been with Ronaldinho’s recent return to form for AC Milan. Nor has he been swayed by a chorus of calls for Ronaldinho’s reinstatement – including one from Mr. Pele himself.

Instead, it seems like Dunga is intent on building a team in his own image – free of the ego, showboating, and laziness that too often befalls his fellow countrymen. (Although in that case, why Robinho and Adriano?)  It means that, after a World Cup qualification process which almost robbed us of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, we now must prepare ourselves for the absence of a true World Cup legend.  (Just ask David Seamen.)  We consider ourselves lucky to have seen Ronaldinho play at Camp Nou during his heyday several years ago. It’s a shame that others won’t be able to witness his graceful trickery on the big stage one last time.

Brazil Squad:

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

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Juan (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Elano (Galatasaray), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (Real Madrid), Kleberson (Flamengo), Ramires (Benfica)

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Robinho (Santos), Adriano (Flamengo), Nilmar (Villarreal)

Is that it for Ronaldinho in a Brazil shirt