Skip to content

Brazil name Gold Cup party

EXCITING attacking troika Kaka, Diego and Robinho have been included in Brazil's 25-man squad for the Concacaf Gold Cup.

It is the first occasion all three starlets have been called up to the senior Brazil squad and are likely to play a key part in coach, Ricardo Gomes's, plans.

The tournament in Mexico and the United States, which runs from July 12-27, will serve as a warm-up to next year's Olympic Games.

Sao Paulo youngster Kaka is relishing the prospect of lining up alongside fellow rising stars, Diego and Robinho.

"It will be good to play in the same side as Diego and Robinho," said Kaka. "It is very good to play with great players."

The team's coach for the tournament, Gomes, has formed the nucleus of his squad with players from Santos and Cruzeiro and was grateful for the assistance of those clubs' respective coaches.

Gomes said: "I spoke with Leao (Santos coach) and Luxemburgo (Cruzeiro coach). I explained the reasons and I was very well received by them. The contribution was great."

Only two foreign-based players have been selected for the tournament, in the guise of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta and Borussia Dortmund attacker Ewerthon.

Brazil squad:
Diego Cavalieri (Palmeiras), Gomes (Cruzeiro), Negri (Ponte Preta); Adriano (Coritiba), Alex (Santos), Andre Bahia (Flamengo), Edu Dracena, Luisao, Maicon (Cruzeiro), Coelho (Corinthians), Michel (Atletico Mineiro); Carlos Alberto (Fluminense), Diego, Paulo Almeida, Robinho (Santos), Fabrico (Corinthians), Julio Baptista (Sao Paulo), Marcinho (Sao Caetano), Paulinho (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Motta (Barcelona); Ewerthon (Borussia Dortmund), Kaka (Sao Paulo), Nadson (Vitoria), Nilmar (Internacional), Vagner (Palmeiras).