Scolari ignores veterans Kaka, Robinho for World Cup

Scolari ignores veterans Kaka, Robinho for World Cup  - Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Wednesday unveiled the 23 men he trusts can deliver a sixth World Cup ahead of this year's event starting June 12 on home soil.

Having already led the most successful nation in the tournament's history to their fifth title in Japan in 2002, Scolari is now out to lay the ghosts of 1950, when the Selecao lost the trophy match to Uruguay in Rio.

His list contained no major surprises, although Milan forward Robinho (92 caps) missed the cut along with former world players of the year Ronaldinho (97 caps) and Kaka (87 caps), an echo of his decision to dump Romario more than a decade ago.

Brazil national football team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari announces his 23-men squad for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil during a presss conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 7, 2014 (AFP Photo/Vanderlei Almeida)

Robinho missed the cut despite facing Chile in a recent friendly.

With Scolari having said for months he knew in his own mind who he wanted to pick, save for one or two exceptions, the focus was on who would provide back-up for a first eleven who saw off world champions Spain in last year's Confederations Cup warm-up.

For the defensive second string, Paris St Germain's Maxwell edged out Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis, while veteran defender Maicon won out at the expense of Bayern Munich's Rafinha, even though the latter had played in a March friendly romp against South Africa.

Henrique of Napoli, fresh from lifting the Coppa Italia, also claimed a berth while in the middle, Scolari completed his contingent with Manchester City's Fernandinho and also Inter Milan's Hernanes.

AC Milan's Brazilian forward Robinho (R) fights for the ball with Livorno defender Nahuel Valentini of Argentina during the Italian Serie A match at San Siro Stadium in Milan on April 19, 2014 (AFP Photo/Giuseppe Cacace)

Scolari had already named as his four captains defensive linchpins Tiago Silva and David Luiz, veteran striker Fred of Fluminense and goalkeeper Julio Cesar, despite Cesar now playing in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC.

In 2002, Scolari preferred a 3-4-3 line up with Ronaldo at its apex.

But now he and technical coordinator Carlos Alberto Parreira will likely base their hopes on a 4-2-3-1 permutation with the idea that star man Neymar of Barcelona can enjoy a free role.

Just four of the players are with Brazilian clubs -- reserve keepers Jefferson and Victor and strikers Fred and Jo, the latter who had brief spells in England with Manchester City and Everton.

Scolari could have named 30 players before later trimming them back by June 2.

But the Brazilian Football Confederation had indicated ahead of Wednesday he was happy to name his final squad now in readiness for group games against Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.

Scolari will now welcome his selection at the end of May to the refurbished Granja Comary training complex outside the rural town of Teresopolis around an hour north of Rio.

He will then oversee a June 3 friendly against Panama at Goiana and a final warm-up against Serbia three days later at the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo before the Cup starts at the Corinthians Arena on July 12.

Brazil squad

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC/CAN), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: Dante (Bayern Munich/GER), David Luiz (Chelsea/ENG), Henrique (Napoli/ITA), Thiago Silva (PSG), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Maicon (Roma/ITA), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Maxwell (Paris St Germain/FRA)

Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City/ENG), Hernanes (Inter Milan/ITA), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg/GER), Oscar (Chelsea/ENG), Paulinho (Tottenham/ENG), Ramires (Chelsea/ENG), Willian (Chelsea/ENG)

Strikers: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk/UKR), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/RUS), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Barcelona/ESP) // AFP

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Messi another player when he's with Argentina : Pele

Messi another player when he's with Argentina : Pele - Pele says Lionel Messi is not as good for Argentina as he is for Barcelona as a result of a lack of understanding with his international teammates.

Messi has been criticized throughout his career by those in his homeland, who believe he tries harder in Blaugrana colours than the blue and white of his nation, though Pele is certain there is another reason behind his differing form.

Pele: Messi another player when he's with Argentina             

"When you see him playing with Barcelona, he is Messi, but when you see him playing for Argentina, he is another Messi," the 73-year-old told Marca. "With Barcelona he is surrounded by two or three excellent players like Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta to help him. With Argentina it is different because it is more difficult to connect with his teammates. It's a completely different Messi."

The Brazil legend then turned his attention to Neymar and praised his decision to join Barcelona last summer as the perfect move to prepare himself for the World Cup this summer.

He added: "It's his first World Cup and no one knows exactly what's going to happen. It's a big responsibility for him. 

"He was very good at Santos, but his best decision was to go and play in Spain, in Europe. For Brazil, it's like he's gone off to university for six months. He'll gain experience and that'll be fantastic for him."

The three-time World Cup winner added that he feels confident Brazil can win the World Cup on home soil thanks to the leadership of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira.

“In Brazil we had one of the worst experiences in the 1950s when the World Cup was held in Brazil and we lost to Uruguay," he continued. "People fear the same thing happen, but I think this time it will be different.

"We have to be careful and respect other teams, because there are two or three good teams: Germany is a very good team and we have to respect Spain because they have been playing together for eight years."

"I think one of the good things we have now is that both Scolari and Parreira have experience and that's great for Brazil, because they have already gone through these situations and they can tell the players what they have to do," Pele continued. "I'm very confident, especially as Parreira was there in 1970 [as a member of the coaching staff] with the best team that Brazil has ever had." ( goal.com )

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