Ronaldinho Going To China for the Olympics

The Brazilian Olympic team announced it's squad for the Olympic Games in China and I am sure the news upset managers all over Europe.

The Olympic gold is the one significant soccer title that Brazil has never won, and this year's squad includes several big names. The largest are Barcelona’s Ronaldinho and Real Madrid forward Robinho who are two of the over 23 year old players on the squad.

Also named are Manchester United midfielder Anderson, Manchester City’s new record signing Jo, and Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. All three will now miss the start of the new Premier League season

In addition, Brazil coach, Dunga, picked Fluminense defender Thiago Silva as the third player older than 23 on the squad. "The experience factor can be decisive in the Olympics," Dunga said. "That’s why several players born in 1985 were chosen, and even the youngsters already have international experience."

Ronaldinho has been shunned by Barcelona after two bad seasons and the Olympics in front of a world wide audience is a fantastic opportunity for him to reclaim his title as one of the worlds best footballers. Does he have anything left is the question on everyone’s lips.

Ronaldinho and Brazil will begin to answer that question on August 8th against Belgium.

Full roster for the 2008 Brazilian Olympic team

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria) and Renan (Internacional).

Defenders: Ilsinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Rafinha (Shalke), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich), and Thiago Silva (Fluminense).

Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Lucas (Liverpool), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), and Thiago Neves (Fluminense).

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Jo (Manchester City), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), and Robinho (Real Madrid).