Kaka and Ronaldinho sit out Copa America defence

Dunga, the Brazil coach, will take an inexperienced squad to the Copa America in Venezuela, which begins later this month, with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and Adriano all missing from the 22 names announced yesterday.

The Real Madrid striker Robinho, Roma goalkeeper Doni, Werder Bremen's Diego, Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva and Ze Roberto, of Santos are the most high-profile names in the squad.

The Copa America will be Brazil's first competition since Dunga took over after last year's World Cup finals. Brazil are the holders after beating Argentina 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the 2004 final held in Lima, Peru.

Dunga had said he wanted the squad at full strength in Venezuela, but was aware that some of his regulars would miss the tournament so they could rest following a hard European season.

Ronaldinho and Kaka both sent letters to the Brazilian Soccer Confederation last month saying they wanted to be excluded from the competition. Dunga had also said that Ronaldo would not be used so as to give opportunities to other strikers.

Only seven players going to the Copa America were in the World Cup squad in Germany last year - Ze Roberto, Robinho, Fred, Gilberto, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva and Juan.

The rest are mostly up-and-coming players with little international experience, including Manchester United's new signing from Porto, Anderson, Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves, defender Naldo, Bordeaux midfielder Fernando and São Paulo's Alex Silva.

When Brazil won the tournament three years ago, coach Carlos Alberto Parreira also used a largely reserve squad and left Kaka, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo out.

Dunga announced the squad the day after Brazil drew 0-0 with Turkey in a friendly in Dortmund. Ronaldinho and Kaka both came on in the second-half but Turkey came closest to winning with Hamit Altintop hitting the bar.

Brazil open their defence of the Copa America against Mexico on 27 June. They are also in the same group as Ecuador and Chile.

Brazil squad (for Copa America, Venezula, 26 June to 15 July): Goalkeepers: Helton (Porto), Doni (Roma). Defenders: Alex Silva (São Paulo), Alex (PSV Eindhoven), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Naldo (Werder Bremen), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Maicon (Internazionale), Daniel Alves (Seville), Kleber (Santos). Midfielders: Josue (São Paulo), Diego (Werder Bremen), Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Anderson (Manchester United), Fernando (Bordeaux), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Ze Roberto (Santos). Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow), Afonso (Herenveen), Fred (Lyon).