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World Cup Watch: High profile rejects

 

World Cup Watch: High profile rejects

World Cup Watch: High profile rejects

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    RONALDINHO

    Age: 30
    Club: AC Milan
    Country: Brazil
    Brazil coach Dunga has shocked some and disappointed many with the omission of Ronaldinho, a player who has twice won the Fifa World Player of the Year award. Despite his appearance in Nike's Write the Future World Cup adverts, Ronaldinho only made the standby list.
    Ronaldinho started all five of Brazil's games in the last World Cup but after poor form and lack of fitness for almost three years, his World Cup dream has been halted as Dunga lost patience.
    Critics of Dunga point to the international record of Ronaldinho who has 87 caps and scored 32 goals as a reason for his inclusion to the squad. Ronaldinho's club form has improved this season as he scored 12 league goals for AC Milan under the guidance of former Brazil star Leonardo.
    Dunga explained his judgement: "Ronaldinho's quality and capacity as a player is indisputable. I have to make a decision based on what happens on the field."

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<b>RONALDINHO </b><br/><br/> <b>Age:</b> 30<br/> <b>Club:</b> AC Milan<br/> <b>Country:</b> Brazil<br/> Brazil coach Dunga has shocked some and disappointed many with the omission of Ronaldinho, a player who has twice won the Fifa World Player of the Year

In anticipation of the World Cup, The Independent will be running down the key people and factors to keep an eye out for in South Africa with our World Cup Watch series.

From free-kick takers to WAGs, blasts from the past to the youngsters, we'll have it all covered before things kick-off in Johannesburg.

For this instalment, we take a change of direction to bring you the players you won't be seeing at the 2010 World Cup.

Talented players such as David Beckham, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack were already ruled out due to injury, but following yesterday's squad deadline, they find themselves joined by a host of other big name players.

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