That being said, I just wanna say that I´m really really happy with the side-backs we have or could have right now. I´m talking about Cicinho and Gilberto.
I think that in todays football this position is key to winning or loosing games. I was worried that when R. Carlos and Cafu got old (as they clearly did), Brazil would have a set back with the replacements, but this hasn´t happened.
I´ve seen the France game over and over and I think it was a totally different game the last 15 min when Cicinho got in. I wonder what would´ve happened if got in the 2nd have instead. In fact I thought then and still think it would have been a totally different WC if Parreira had started with the team u and I are talking about. I mean, our “ideal” team was almost the same team that played Japan. And this was the only display of good brazilian football I saw in all the WC. It was also almost the same team that won Confederation 05.

i know ze roberto quited the team, but this is a ideal situation, no? =)

anyway, my choice for him is based on how he was playing at santos. More advanced on the pitch, almost as a classic playmaker. with that he could work on the left portion with the field with gilberto, setting Kaka-free on the right side. Also, with him, there could be a variation of Kaka playing without any worries of defending, but still having someone with a good pass and technique. Also with Mineiro, Josue and Ze Roberto, the two side-backs could have lots of freedom to help the forwards, instead of playing like defenders. Cicinho at Sao Paulo and Gilberto at Gremio played like this. I believe that with Josue and Mineiro, Cicinho would grow a lot again, given they were used to play together.

Now, the argument to justify ronaldo in and ronaldinho out is the same. I believe in players that grow in important moments and players that disappear in such important moments. Ronaldo is the man who grows, no matter how he is. If he is in shape he is as good, or better, than Adriano, Ricardo Oliveira, Fred, Luis Fabiano (players that I think could be with the NT). Even in the mediocre match against France, who was the only one trying to shoot?

Ronaldinho, on the other hand, disappears. the guy is amazing. With Barcelona. I don’t think he is reliable and he puts too much pressure on himself to be the best. That screws his game.

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On a different note, with Felipao, we could have the team playing on 3-5-2, just like in 2002.

then, you could have a third defender playing with lucio and juan (naldo, alex…), have gilberto and cicinho way advanced with josue and mineiro in the middle.

ronaldinho or kaka as the playmaker (like rivaldo in 02), and robinho and ronaldo. (yes i think we need a real number 9). I can’t see the offensive trio with kaka, ronaldinho and robinho.

Even though I think Ronaldo is one of the best strikers ever, I wouldn´t choose him cause I think his time has passed. That´s one of the reasons I think the WC2006 team failed. A lot of old players like R. Carlos, Emerson, and specialy CAFU. And even though I don´t think Ronaldo is in this guilty group, I would not choose him in the new team. Not that I like Adriano a lot eather.
I think we need a new young striker. A hungry one (like u said). Not Vagner Love please!!! By the way, how is Nilmar doing this days????

The other thing that called my atention was that u placed 3 defensive midfielders (Josue, Mineiro and Ze Roberto who by the way quited the Brazil team) and only one Offensive one to pass the balls (Kaka). Wouldn´t this make the team too defensive??

Last but not least the Ronaldinho issue.
I totaly respect your opinion that his not doing well in the N.T. I don´t think he did a good job in WC2006. But…
Don´t you think he did a great job in WC2002 and Confederation Cup 2005? That was only 2 years ago.

I think he is right now the best and most capable player in the world. Maybe what they need to do is adjust the team to his lead. Like in Barcelona. My opinion anyway.

By the way I would also love Felipao back.
Those were the days.

Rogerio Ceni

Cicinho
Lucio
Juan
Gilberto

Mineiro
Josue
Ze Roberto
Kaka

Ronaldo (yes)
Robinho

where’s ronaldinho? on the bench, of course.

My Ideal Brazilian “A” Team.

Forward: Robinho, Adriano (not that good lately but better than Wagner Love)
Offensive Mid: Ronaldinho, Kaka (come on, give the guys a brake, they are in fact the 2 best players in the world)
Def Mid: Josue, Mineiro (did u see that final?????)
Sides: Gilberto (I just love him), Cicinho (I know Daniel Alves is great, but have u seen Cicinho play?)
Def: Juan (Undisputable and in my opinion Captain), Lucio
GK: Dida (one of the very few that had a decent WC 2006)

Please post your thoughts about it and give your Ideal Brazil team.

“England invented football, Brazil showed how it should be played”.

If it’s possible, please contact me
MSN: alex@sportsnet.cc, ICQ: 165092692, e-mail: alex@sportsnet.cc

Best Regards,
Alex

P.S. Please answer, at least say “no”