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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Football has a lot of power in the world and our society

Can football change the world in its fight against poverty? - A band of heroes unite to change the lives of those in need, to feed the starving and house the homeless. 

This is the rationale behind a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) initiative which it hopes will help halve world poverty by 2015. 

Arguably the UN faces an uphill struggle. 

A recent Oxfam report estimated that the world's richest 85 people share a combined wealth of $1.67 trillion, as much as the poorest 3.5 billion of the world's population.

The World Bank's definition of poverty is based on an income of less than $2 a day, or a calorie intake of less than 2100 calories.

Football stars Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane are the faces of the Match Against Poverty, launched in 2003 and now an annual event aimed at raising funds for the impoverished.

"It's the world's most accessible and equal sport. You can even make your own football," Petra Lantz, director of the UNDP representation office in Geneva, told CNN.

"I've seen that with kids who use paper and string, then they have a football and they pretend that they're Ronaldo or Zidane.

"If you want to reach these kids who are no longer in school, sport is an excellent activity. Football is a sport that is accessible even for those who are poor."

The match stems from the UN adopting the Millennium Development Goals in 2000, which were put in place to help the organization halve the number of people in the world living below the poverty line by 2015.

The Match Against Poverty has played its part in that. The 2013 event raised $360,000 for youth-oriented projects in Brazil and Cape Verde, while Lantz suggests it has raised $4 million since its inception.

This year the game took place in Bern, Switzerland, with the Stade de Suisse the venue for a match between Ronaldo, Zidane and friends and local club Young Boys.

Stars like Luis Figo, Pavel Nedved and Marta –the world's most famous female player and a UN Goodwill Ambassador - turned out for a match which finished 8-6 to the stars.

Organizers expect to raise $250,000 - generated from the sale of tickets and broadcasting rights and corporate sponsors - from the game, with two thirds of the money generated going to victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The typhoon - considered by some to be among the strongest such storms to make landfall - struck the Philippines on November 8. Its powerful winds and enormous storm surge smashed buildings, destroyed roads and caused widespread power and water outages.

Proceeds from the match will go to the UNDP's short-term work scheme, which is focused on cleaning up after the storm and helping to put some money into people's pockets.

However is assembling a collection of retired pros to play together the best way to raise interest in ending poverty?

Lantz is convinced involving people of such a high profile is the only way to get the public excited about tackling inequality in the face of "poverty fatigue."

"Having celebrities of this calibre standing up and saying 'We should join forces to reduce poverty, combat poverty and end poverty, it's really important," she said.

"If you're a young kid in Lagos in Nigeria and you're playing football and you see one of your heroes standing up and saying 'it's about time the world ends poverty,' that's something that is very important."

The match also sees the UNDP work alongside FIFA and UEFA, two bodies which govern world and European football respectively.

According to Lantz, establishing partnerships between such large and influential organizations is vital.

"We need partners, in the private sector and in civil society," she added.

"But working with bodies such as UEFA and FIFA, and the International Olympic Committee as well, it's a way of reaching others and engaging."

A FIFA World Player of the Year winner and a two-time World Cup winner with Brazil, Ronaldo insited football can help address the issue of poverty.

"We are very proud to help people and also we are happy because all of our friends said yes and they will come," Ronaldo told CNN.

"Football has a lot of power in the world and our society." ( worldsport.blogs.cnn.com )

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Cristiano Ronaldo hit by a lighter in Madrid derby

Cristiano Ronaldo hit by a lighter in Madrid derby - Cristiano Ronaldo was struck by a lighter as Real Madrid beat Atletico 2-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.

The Portuguese, who is in the middle of a three-match suspension in La Liga, converted two early penalties to seal Madrid's spot in the Copa del Rey final following last Wednesday's 3-0 win in the first leg at the Bernabeu but was involved in two unfortunate incidents at the end of the first half.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit by a lighter in Madrid derby

First, he was booked for a challenge on Atletico defender Javier Manquillo, when the two players jumped and the 19-year-old landed on his head in a sickening moment.

There appeared to be no malice in the challenge, and Ronaldo did not even notice his rival was grounded, but checked on the Atleti right back when he realized the severity of his fall.

Moments later, however, the 29-year-old was struck by a lighter thrown from the stands as he left the pitch in conversation with teammate Sergio Ramos.

Ronaldo reappeared for the second half following medical treatment but was replaced by Jese after 75 minutes.

"We reject the attitude of those fans," Atletico spokesman Clemente Villaverde said after. "Nobody should throw anything. They should get behind the team. It's an isolated act, and we have identified the person who threw the lighter. We'll have to wait for the referee's report to see what can be done."

And Madrid captain Iker Casillas, who has gone through the entire competition without conceding a goal, said: "There's always one lowlife who taints the support. It doesn't show the quality of their fanbase."

Manquillo, meanwhile, was taken to the hospital with what was described by Atletico as a "cervical sprain" and will undergo tests. ( .goal.com )

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Neymar too talented to stay in Brazil

Neymar too talented to stay in Brazil - Brazil legend Ronaldo has urged compatriot Neymar to consider a move to one of Europe's elite clubs after claiming the starlet has too much potential to remain in South America.

The 21-year-old, currently with Santos, is one of the most sought-after talents in world football and has reportedly courted the interest of Bayern Munich and Barcelona - the latter of which is believed to be leading the hunt for the striker's signature.

But so far Neymar has opted to remain in his homeland and is determined to do so until after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, though Ronaldo believes he needs to consider a move if he is to fulfil his potential.

"Neymar is undoubtedly an excellent player. He is going to be one of the best in the world when he decides to play in Europe. He is too talented to be limited only to Brazil," he said in an interview with Sports Spectacular.

Ronaldo: Neymar too talented to stay in Brazil

"He has had several proposals from clubs abroad, but he renewed his contract with Santos. Ideally the best time to leave for Europe would be before the World Cup in 2014. It would make him more mature and he would have more experience to lead Brazil."

By Shane Callaghan | Goal.com – 13 hours ago

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