SAO PAULO: Twice world player of the year Ronaldinho is back in the Brazil squad for the first time since November.
Coach Mano Menezes on Thursday named the 31-year-old midfielder in his squad for the friendly match against Ghana to be held at Craven Cottage in London on September 5.
Ronaldinho missed the 2010 World Cup and had been summoned only once by Menezes since then, for a 1-0 loss to Argentina last November. Real Madrid right back Marcelo and FC Porto striker Hulk also returned to the squad, and Neymar, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Lucas and Robinho also were summoned.
Kaka remained out of the squad as Menezes continues to wait for him to improve his form with Real Madrid. Injured Inter Milan right back Maicon, Fenerbahce left back Andre Santos and Chelsea midfielder Ramires also were left out.
Brazil is coming off a 3-2 loss to Germany in a friendly in Stuttgart last week.
Ronaldinho became one of the most high-profile acquisitions by a Brazilian club when he joined Flamengo in the beginning of the year. It took a while for him to live up to the expectations, however, and he struggled in his first few months with the popular Brazilian club, even being jeered by fans and heavily criticized by local media. But Ronaldinho bounced back and recently has been key for Flamengo’s run to the top of the Brazilian league. Local media and fans again started to ask Menezes to call him for the national team.
“After his return to Brazil, there has been enough time for him to start playing well again,” Menezes said. Ronaldinho has scored nine goals in 16 matches in the Brazilian league, only one less than leading scorer Borges of Santos. (Agencies)