Thaindian News

Rio de Janiero, Feb 15 (IANS) Ronaldinho has been named in Brazil’s 23-man squad for a friendly against Bosnia in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

But fellow teammate and former world player of the year Kaka was left out, as was Milan winger Robinho.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes said Ronaldinho remained an integral part of his plans despite the former Barcelona star’s recent poor form for Brazilian club Flamengo, Xinhua reports.

“I have always said Ronaldinho is a project for us. I can’t go around making changes all the time just because a player is not in the best form, or vice versa,” Menezes said.

“I prefer players were evaluated over a longer period of time. We need to have more stability.”

Kaka, who won the FIFA world player of the year award in 2007, has not been an automatic selection for Brazil since the 2010 World Cup.

While he has shown glimpses of form for Real Madrid this season, he has regularly seen his starting spot taken by German playmaker Mesut Ozil.

The squad takes in seven Brazil-based players, including Santos trio Paulo Henrique Ganso, Neymar and Rafael.

Eight players are eligible to play at the London Olympics, the only major tournament Brazil is yet to win.

Following are the Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Diego Alves (Valencia), Rafael (Santos).

Defenders: Adriano (Barcelona), Alexsandro (Porto), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Porto), Marcelo (Real Madrid), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dede (Vasco), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva ( Milan).

Midfielders: Elias (Sporting), Hernanes (Lazio), Sandro (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Shaktar Donetsk), Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Ronaldinho (Flamengo).

Strikers: Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).