Dunga keeps Ronaldinho out of Brazil squad for friendly with Sweden

Mar 12, 2008, 11:31 GMT

Rio de Janeiro - Ronaldinho is conspicuously absent from the squad that Brazil coach Carlos Dunga called Tuesday for a friendly game against Sweden on March 26 in London.

Dunga called many young players who would be able to play at the Olympics in Beijing in August, but also summoned Milan star Kaka - FIFA Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or in 2007 - and Real Madrid's Robinho.

Dunga confirmed that Ronaldinho's absence is because the attacking midfielder is far from his top form, but stressed that he expects to call the Barcelona player for two important games in the South American World Cup qualifiers in June - away against Paraguay and at home against Argentina.

'Ronaldinho is recovering his form. It is important that he stays with his team and trains. We will have two important games in the qualifiers and I hope that, by then, he will be 100 per cent,' the coach said.

There are some novelties in Dunga's list. Almeria goalkeeper Diego Alves is set to make his Brazil debut, as is defender Leo, of Gremio. They are among nine players under 23 years old.

Brazil's 'Olympic' squad features as its greatest star Milan striker Alexandre Pato, alongside defenders Marcelo (Real Madrid) and Rafinha (Schalke 04) and midfielders Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Lucas (Liverpool), Diego (Werder Bremen) and Thiago Neves (Fluminense).

Brazil is set to play Sweden at London's Emirates Stadium, to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Brazilian World Cup title in Sweden 1958.