Ronaldinho Returns To Brazil National Team, 20 Man Squad Revealed For England Friendly

England and Brazil are set to play a friendly match next month in Wembley stadium as a part of FA’s 150 year celebrations. The game also marks Luiz Felipe Scolari’s return as Brazil national coach for the first time after winning the World cup back in 2002. After almost a decade Scolari‘s entry to the coaching role has given fans in Brazil a new hope that they can lift the trophy for the 6th time on their home soil where the 2014 World cups are held. 

Yesterday Scolari announced a 20 man squad list for the game against England. Here is the complete list of the squad: 

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Valencia, Spain), Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers, England)

Defenders: Adriano (Barcelona, Spain), Dante (Bayern Munich, Germany), Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), David Luiz (Chelsea, England), Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Leandro Castan (Roma, Italy), Miranda (Atletico Madrid, Spain)

Midfielders: Arouca (Santos), Hernanes (Lazio, Italy), Lucas (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Oscar (Chelsea, England), Paulinho (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea, England)

Forwards: Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg, Russia), Luiz Fabiano (Sao Paulo), Neymar (Santos), Ronaldinho (Atletico Mineiro)

There is one big news in there. Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, currently playing his trade with Atletico Mineiro has been recalled into the National team. Also returning to the squad is QPR goal keeper Julio Cesar. However Scolari has made one surprise choice, Kaka who has been linked with a return to AC Milan during the January transfer window, has been left out. 

This is what Ronaldinho had to say about his call up:

“What I can say is that I will give everything I have to respond to what Felipao asks of me,” Ronaldinho told media at Atletico’s Belo Horizonte training base.

“I’m so happy to be back in the national team especially now when we are so close to the World Cup. I want to thank everybody at Atletico Mineiro, from the coaching staff to the people who work in the kitchen and especially the fans.”

On a closer look, Scolari has called up 2 players who have shown impressive form off late with their clubs to earn their potential debut for the national team.

On another note the selection of Arouca is also a good choice by Scolari. He is one of the most underrated player who consistently gives his very best everytime he stepu out to play for Santos. The defensive midfielder has been the heart of his club for sometime now and truly deserves this call up. He’s only been capped a few times and at 26 years old he will know there’s no better time to impress on the international stage. With the World cup lurking around the corner, it is the perfect time to get noticed from some big names out there. 

Another good player to have been underrated Internationally is Hernanes who has only been capped 8 times for his country. Arguably the best Brazilian player to have been capped less than 10 times in recent years. He sure has creativity in bundles and can show the World what he has when his team lines up against England come February.