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Brazil coach Carlos
Alberto Parreira has stood by his decision to leave Real Madrid striker
Ronaldo out of his squad for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and
Argentina.
Insisting the decision was made without interference from the Brazilian
Football Confederation (CBF), Parreira said on Tuesday that he only
wanted Ronaldo in the team if the forward was in a relaxed frame of mind
and willing to play.
Ronaldo had initially asked to be excused from the Confederation’s Cup
in the second half of June, even though Parreira said he wanted to take
a full-strength team to the competition in Germany.
However, the Real Madrid player was surprisingly omitted from both the
Confederation’s Cup and the World Cup qualifiers in Porto Alegre on
Sunday and Buenos Aires next Wednesday.
Brazil are second in the 10-nation South American qualifying group on 24
points from 13 games and almost certain to qualify for next year’s World
Cup in Germany.
“In the past, I’ve been criticised for keeping him in the team,” said
Parreira, who stood by Ronaldo earlier this year when the player’s form
dipped.
“Now, I’m being criticised for leaving him out.
“I’m not afraid of regretting this. Nobody goes forward in life without
taking decisions. But if the player isn’t fully focused, it’s better to
let him have a rest and come back in shape for the next season.”
Parreira denied reports that CBF president Ricardo Teixeira had a hand
in the decision.
“You know that Ricardo Teixeira does not interfere in team matters,” he
said at the Brazil training camp.
Adriano, who rarely gets a start for Brazil despite his excellent form
for Inter Milan, is the favourite to take Ronaldo’s place for the World
Cup qualifiers.
Ronaldo’s absence will be a relief for Argentina after he won and
converted three penalties in Brazil’s 3-1 victory in Belo Horizonte last
year.
The only country to have played at all 17 World Cups, Brazil can make
sure of their place in Germany if they pick up enough points next week
and other results go in their favour.
Ronaldo’s Real Madrid and Brazil teammate Roberto Carlos said the
striker had gone through an unhappy season both on and off the field.
“He’s had a tough season and he also had personal problems,” the
wingback said.
“It’s bad to lose Ronaldo but we have see the other side of the coin,
which is that it’s important too see him happy.” |
