Dunga Omits Ronaldinho From the 23-Man Squad Going To South Africa

Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has announced his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer. Ronaldinho, who has witnessed a surge of form with AC Milan, was left out if the World Cup squad. This news will be a shocker to many fans who believed he had worked his magic enough to get into the team.

Finishing the season with 10 goals and 14 assists in the Serie A was apparently futile.

Dunga also omitted Flamengo striker Adriano and Corinthians pair Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, all of whom had faint hopes of making the squad. Two of Brazil's rising stars in Alexandre Pato and Neymar are also staying at home. Although Pato's absence will surprise many.

The core of the team from the qualifying campaign remains though with Luis Fabiano who was amazing heads the attack. There are also call-ups for Tottenham Hotspur keeper Heurelho Gomes, Cruzeiro veteran Gilberto and Wolfsburg striker Grafite who might just be a shock addition.

Here is the 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers  

Julio Cesar                    Inter
Heurelho Gomes             Tottenham

Alexander Doni              Roma

Defenders  

Maicon                        Inter
Daniel Alves                 Barcelona
Gilberto                       Cruzeiro

Michel Bastos              Olympique Lyonnais
Lucio                         Inter
Juan                          Roma

Luisao                       Benfica
Thiago Silva                AC Milan

Midfielders

Gilberto Silva   Panathinaikos
Felipe Melo      Juventus

Kaka                Real Madrid
Julio Baptista   Roma

Josue               Wolfsburg
Kleberson        Flamengo

Elano               Galatasaray

Ramires           Benfica

Forwards

Robinho            Santos

Luis Fabiano    Sevilla

Nilmar             Villarreal

Grafite            Wolfsburg

The bulk of the "usuals" remained, with Lucio, who might taste UEFA Champions League success with Inter Milan, a stalwart in defense.

Dunga has a tough task at hand, living up to the hype of controlling this squad and guiding Brazil to a record six titles.