Romario, Djalminha omitted from Brazil squad

There is no place Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 23-man Brazil squad for veteran striker Romario or Deportivo la Coruna’s Djalminha…

There is no place Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 23-man Brazil squad for veteran striker Romario or Deportivo la Coruna’s Djalminha.

The exclusion of the Romario, who remains lethal in the penalty box, had been expected but is still likely to make coach Scolari hugely unpopular.

Scolari, who has not picked the 36 year-old Vasco da Gama player since last July's 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Uruguay, has defied popular pressure and last Friday was harassed in the centre of Rio de Janeiro by supporters demanding he change his mind.

The other major surprise was the last-minute exclusion of midfielder Djalminha whose place had been in doubt after he head-butted Deportivo coach Javier Irureta in training last week.

READ MORE

Barcelona's Rivaldo was also included despite recent injuries and indifferent form for the national team.

Goalkeepers: Marcos (Palmeiras), Dida (Corinthians), Rogerio (Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Cafu (AS Roma/Ita), Beleti (Sao Paulo), Junior (Parma/Ita), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid/Spa), Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen/Ger), Roque Junior (AC Milan/Ita), Anderson Polga (Gremio), Edmilson (Lyon/Fra)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Atletico Mineiro), Kleberson (Atletico Paranaense), Emerson (AS Roma/Ita), Vampeta (Corinthians), Ronaldinho Gaucho (Paris Saint Germain/Fra), Juninho Paulista (Flamengo), Kaka (Sao Paulo)

Attackers: Edilson (Cruzeiro), Denilson (Real Betis/Spa), Rivaldo (Barcelona/Spa), Luizao (Gremio), Ronaldo (Inter Milan/Ita)