01/06/2005
Parreira stands by decision to leave Ronaldo out of W-Cup qualifiers

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.”

02.06.2005 07:47 +0400
Reuters