Reaction: Brazil World Cup squad announced
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by Bobo
Brazil are heading for their sixth title this year, with a shockingly strong side, and with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. They have won two of the last three tournaments, and look as though they may do so again with one of the strongest possible teams in the cup this year.
Their main goalkeeper in the tournament is Dida, one of the classiest goalkeepers in the world, capable of making the most incredible of saves in spite of his occasional inconsistency. His first major competition came in the 1996 Olympic Games, though his first standout performance came in the World Cup two years later. He has since won the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores, and the FIFA World Club Championship.
Cafu has spent the last 9 years of his career in Italy, and is looking to become the first and only player ever to play in four World Cup finals. He also has the greatest number of World Cup appearances and was voted in March 2004 among Pele's Top 125 Greatest Living Footballers.
Lúcio played in the 2000 Summer Olympic football tournament, and was the player culpable for England’s opening goal against Brazil in the South Americans’ 2-1 victory. He also played in every minute of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and joined Bayern Munich in 2004.
Juan has become a controversial figure in the Brazilian team, and scored his first ever goal in the 2004 CONMEBOL tournament. He joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 and helped them to a positive position in 2005/06, cementing his place in the Brazil squad.
Emerson is a great midfield general, but broke his arm just prior to the 2002 World cup tournament and was thus unable to take part. However, he won the Copa Libertad in 1995 and has since won Serie A twice, first with Roma and later with Juventus.
The one thing that separates Roberto Carlos from almost any other player currently in the game is his incredible lung capacity, and thus his ability to run up and down the wing any time his team need him to. He was voted the award of second-best player in the World in 1997, which more than made up for him missing the World Cup three years previously, and with an eye to reappearing the following year, stood him in good stead. Nowadays, he plays for Real Madrid.
Adriano moved to Internazionale in 2001, and moved through two more teams, before moving back there in 2004. He won the South American Cup with the Brazilian under-20 team in 2001 before being recalled to the national squad two years later.
Since first appearing for AC Milan in 2003, Kaka won Serie A in his first season. Previously he had won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and been given the award for best player in the Brazilian Campeonato.
What can’t be said about Ronaldo that hasn’t been said already? Absolutely nothing. I’ll leave it at that. Nothing else needs saying.
Ronaldinho could easily be one of the biggest stars in the world’s current game. He made his debut against Latvia in 1999 and, despite the lure of English football, signed for Barcelona in 2003. He is 2005’s FIFPro Player of the Year and most recently won the Spanish Premier Division in May.
Ze Roberto is likely to be without a club as his contract runs out in less than a month’s time. Having vowed not to re-sign with Bayern Munich after his contract runs out at the end of this month, he is now looking for good form during this tournament to bring him the play he needs for other teams to go looking for him.
Rogerio Céni shares one of his major traits with classic goalkeeper Juan Luis Chilávert. Except he has bested Chilávert with his free kick and penalty taking skill. He holds the record of the most appearances with his team São Paulo and is the second choice goalkeeper for this World Cup.
Cicinho won the Copa Libertad in 2005, as well as the FIFA World Championship and is now seen by many as the successor to Cafu in his role in the Brazilian team.
Luisao plays at top Portuguese side Benfica. He has most recently aided them to a 2004 Portuguese Cup and the 2005 league title, having joined the team in 2003 from his native Brazil.
Cris is Carlos Parreira’s most surprising move at this World Cup, having been chosen in place of Roque Junior. He has most recently been victorious with the team of Belo Horizonte, having also tried his hand at German football.
Gilberto has most recently played in the victorious 2005 Confederations Cup team, and, despite an early career in his native country, has moved to the more noticeable leagues of Europe, stopping in Germany’s Hertha BSC Berlin. He is a quick-thinking, quick-moving defender with the world and the ball commonly at his feet. Not to be confused with…
Gilberto Silva, whose time at Arsenal F.C. has proved most profitable after trophies in 2003, 2004 and 2005 since moving there. He helped Brazil to the 2002 World Cup after playing every single minute of every match, and currently is the holder of the record for the fastest goal in European competition, scoring after 20 seconds against PSV Eindhoven.
Miniero plays with Sao Paulo and first appeared for the Brazilian national team in 2001, and is currently at the peak of his career. He is one of the best players when it comes to dispossessing his opponents, and ahs won the Copa Libertadores, and the FIFA Club World Championship.
Juninho Pernambucano has played for five-times French champions Lyon for the last five seasons now. His passing in attack and shooting skill have been at the forefront of the French team’s recent successes, as he is a constant threat to those teams in defence who attempt to avoid him at any possible opportunity.
Ricardinho plays for top Brazilian side Corinthians, having spent half of 2004 at Middlesbrough. He appeared in the 2002 World Cup as a replacement for Emerson, but was only allowed to make substitute appearances during this campaign. He has vast experience both at home and abroad.
Fred is still commanding the forward line at Lyon, but only made his first international cap around Spring last year against Guatemala. He has an exceptional goal record, and holds the record for the fastest goal (timed at 3.17 seconds) in Brazilian football history. He most recently lined up for Lyon, and has one of the most useful brains within the squad, and the natural ability to place himself for goals.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is only likely to play as the second or maybe even third-choice goalkeeper at this World Cup, but his time at Internazionale lies underneath this. And even though he is very likely to only play if Dida’s game becomes problematic, the goalkeeper with a Copa América title under his belt could easily feature in some games for the side.
Robinho is currently at Real Madrid in Spain, and since making his debut in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2003, has made many appearances with the Brazilian side, stunning opponents and teammates alike with his dribbling skill. He most recently won the 2002 and 2004 Brazilian Championships with Sao Paulo, and, upon joining Real, won the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2005.
All in all, one of Brazil's strongest possible teams heading out for the cup, and a great chance of making this six World Cups under their belt.
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