Ronaldo Confed Cup call-up

ByReuters

Published 20/05/2005 at 06:52 GMT

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has included Ronaldo in his squad for next month's Confederations Cup, saying that playing for his country will help the striker forget his personal problems.

Eurosport

Image credit: Eurosport

Ronaldo split up from his fiancee Daniella Cicarelli last week, less than three months after the couple threw a lavish engagement party at a castle outside Paris.

"This can upset the life of any person," Perreira told reporters on Thursday. "He's going to spend more than one month with the national team in the World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.

"This will be good for him. He will forget his problems."

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The Real Madrid player said last month that he wanted at least four weeks off during the European close season.

Ronaldo has also been chosen in Brazil's squad for the World Cup qualifiers at home to Paraguay on June 5 and in Argentina three days later.

Brazil are second in the 10-nation South American World Cup qualifying group with 24 points from 13 games, four behind Argentina.

The top four teams qualify for the 2006 finals in Germany while the fifth nation goes into a playoff against the winners of the Oceania region for another place.

Parreira reiterated that he wanted Brazil, the only country to have played at every World Cup finals, to qualify with games to spare and that the Paraguay match was as important as the clash with Argentina.

"Paraguay always make it difficult for Brazil and they have one of the most experienced teams in the competition," said Parreira.

FULLBACKS EXCUSED

"The game will be fundamental because if we win we practically guarantee our place at the Cup."

There were no major surprises in the World Cup squad which, apart from three changes, will also travel to Germany for the Confederations Cup.

Parreira said experienced fullbacks Cafu and Roberto Carlos would be excused the Confederations Cup as he tested younger alternatives Cicinho of Sao Paulo and Leo of Santos.

Turkish-based Alex also replaces midfielder Ricardinho while PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Gomes will be added to the squad alongside Dida and Marcos.

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World Cup qualifying squad:

Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Marcos (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Roque Junior (Bayer Leverkusen), Cafu (AC Milan), Belletti (Barcelona), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin)

Midfielders: Emerson (Juventus), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), Renato (Sevilla), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Santos)

Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Adriano (Inter Milan), Robinho (Santos), Ricardo Oliveira (Real Betis), Ronaldinho (Barcelona)

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Confederations Cup squad:

Goalkeepers: Dida, Marcos, Gomes (PSV Eindhoven)

Defenders: Juan, Lucio, Luisao, Roque Junior, Cicinho (Sao Paulo), Belletti, Leo (Santos), Gilberto

Midfielders: Emerson, Gilberto Silva, Ze Roberto, Juninho Pernambucano, Renato, Kaka, Alex (Fenerbahce)

Forwards: Ronaldo, Adriano, Robinho, Ricardo Oliveira, Ronaldinho

Confederations Cup