Despite still playing at a high level – AC Milan in Seria A and Champions League- both Kaka and Robinho will watch the World Cup from the stands. Although not completely unexpected it will come as a severe disappointment for the Brazilians.
Ronaldinho shall also miss out despite experiencing an Indian summer in the Brazilian top league.
The Selecao will enter next month’s tournament as home favourites but do not have a squad that inspires much fear in the hearts of opposition.Superstar Neymar has largely unimpressed in his maiden season for Barcelona and his fellow attackers are not playing in Europe’s top leagues. Although they count on the Chelsea quartet: Luiz, Ramires, Willian and Oscar and spattering of players in top teams playing in the latter stages of the Champions League their squad contains a mish mash of players.
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC, on loan from QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro).
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell and Thiago Silva (both Paris St-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).
Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City).
Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).
Brazil will face Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon in Group A of the tournament.
Alistair McLauchlan 
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