Brazil coach Carlos Dunga has picked his squad for the upcoming friendly against Italy at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London on February 10.
AC Milan star Ronaldinho was among 22 players picked by Dunga while Juventus striker Amauri is left out yet again.
"Amauri is a player many people are watching closely and playing against Italy would put too much pressure on him right now," Dunga said during a press conference.
"We have to wait for the right moment. We have Luís Fabiano, who is Sevilla's best player, Adriano, Pato, who was in the Olympic national team and is going through a good moment with Milan, and Robinho, who has been doing well for some time."
Ronaldinho was not summoned by Dunga for Brazil's last three matches as the Seleçao coach had said the player still needed to improve his form.
"We knew we would be able to count with him after he got to play more matches with Milan," Dunga said.
Milan teammates Kaká and Pato also were included in the roster for Brazil's first match in 2009.
The biggest surprise on Dunga's squad was uncapped Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo.
"I had been following him for a long time - since when he was in Spain," Dunga said. "Now in Italy he is continuing to do well, and now I have given him the opportunity of joining the group of the national team."
Brazil and Italy have faced each other 12 times, with each nation winning five matches and drawing twice.
"Italy are an opponent that I have a great respect for," Dunga added. "Matches against the Azzurri are never any old games, irrespective of it being a friendly or a World Cup fixture."
Dunga has only selected Europe-based players because the Brazilian regional tournaments will be under way in February.
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Júlio César (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Sevilla), Lúcio (Bayern Munich), Juan (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Luisão (Benfica), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josué (VfL Wolfsburg), Anderson (Manchester United), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Elano (Manchester City), Júlio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaká (AC Milan), Ronaldinho (AC Milan)
Forwards: Robinho (Manchester City), Pato (AC Milan), Luís Fabiano (Sevilla), Adriano (Inter Milan)
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AC Milan star Ronaldinho was among 22 players picked by Dunga while Juventus striker Amauri is left out yet again.
"Amauri is a player many people are watching closely and playing against Italy would put too much pressure on him right now," Dunga said during a press conference.
"We have to wait for the right moment. We have Luís Fabiano, who is Sevilla's best player, Adriano, Pato, who was in the Olympic national team and is going through a good moment with Milan, and Robinho, who has been doing well for some time."
Ronaldinho was not summoned by Dunga for Brazil's last three matches as the Seleçao coach had said the player still needed to improve his form.
"We knew we would be able to count with him after he got to play more matches with Milan," Dunga said.
Milan teammates Kaká and Pato also were included in the roster for Brazil's first match in 2009.
The biggest surprise on Dunga's squad was uncapped Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo.
"I had been following him for a long time - since when he was in Spain," Dunga said. "Now in Italy he is continuing to do well, and now I have given him the opportunity of joining the group of the national team."
Brazil and Italy have faced each other 12 times, with each nation winning five matches and drawing twice.
"Italy are an opponent that I have a great respect for," Dunga added. "Matches against the Azzurri are never any old games, irrespective of it being a friendly or a World Cup fixture."
Dunga has only selected Europe-based players because the Brazilian regional tournaments will be under way in February.
Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Júlio César (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Sevilla), Lúcio (Bayern Munich), Juan (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Luisão (Benfica), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josué (VfL Wolfsburg), Anderson (Manchester United), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Elano (Manchester City), Júlio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaká (AC Milan), Ronaldinho (AC Milan)
Forwards: Robinho (Manchester City), Pato (AC Milan), Luís Fabiano (Sevilla), Adriano (Inter Milan)
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