Coach
DUNGA
31.10.63
Brazil coach since July 2006
Captained Brazil to the 1994 World Cup and 1997 Confederations Cup, and coached the side to victory in the 2007 Copa America and last year’s Confederations Cup in South Africa. Rai had begun the 1994 World Cup as captain but was then dropped.
Goalkeepers
DONI
22-10-79
Roma (Italy)
10 caps
Was a surprise choice but won Dunga’s loyalty when he was part of the victorious 2007 Copa America team. Has stayed in the squad as reserve keeper despite losing his place in the Roma side. Made his name in Brazil with Corinthians, and then played for Santos, Cruzeiro and Juventude.
GOMES
15-2-81
Tottenham Hotspur (England)
4 caps
Gangling figure who was the first keeper of the Dunga era. Superb shot stopper recalled to the squad after improving on crosses and coming through a difficult first season in England. Faces a battle with Helton of Porto and a number of home based players for the third keeper’s slot.
JULIO CESAR
3-9-79
Internazionale (Italy)
47 caps
Third choice in 2006, now undisputed number one. Has matured into a world class keeper, big and athletic, vastly improved on crosses and with the strength of character to shrug off his rare errors. Superb and ever present in qualification, conceding just 11 goals in 18 games. Made his name with Flamengo.
Defenders
DANIEL ALVES
6-5-83
Barcelona (Spain)
33 caps, 3 goals
Highly talented attacking right back, with awesome lung power and great technical ability. Took a while to settle in the national team, where his defensive weaknesses have been exposed, and for Brazil has done better as a right sided midfielder. An excellent striker of free kicks. Frequently the first substitute to be introduced.
GILBERTO
25-4-76
Cruzeiro
32 caps, 1 goal
Reserve left back in the last World Cup, where he scored his only goal, and first choice thereafter until a disastrous move to England. Moved back to Brazil and recently recalled to the squad as a left back, despite the fact that he is playing his club football as an attacking midfielder.
JUAN
1-2-79
Roma (Italy)
73 caps, 6 goals
Classy centre back with good covering and a prodigious leap who narrowly missed out on the 2002 squad and was one of the few success stories in 2006. Appears to have recovered from a sequence of niggling injuries that plagued him during 2009. Forms an excellent partnership with Lucio.
LUCIO
8-5-78
Internazionale (Italy)
87 caps, 4 goals
Team captain, talented and combative centre back who has learned to channel his aggression so well that he has become a key motivational force on the field, spreading the conviction that Brazil will prevail. Likes to bring the ball out of defence and can pass well. Approaching his third World Cup as first choice.
LUISAO
21-3-81
Benfica (Portugal)
33 caps, 3 goals
Gangling centre back, a reserve in 2006 and likely to fulfil the same role again as Lucio’s deputy. A commanding figure in the air, and a goalscoring threat from free kicks and corners, he can be vulnerable on the ground. Younger brother Alex Silva is also an international centre back.
MAICON
26-7-81
Internazionale (Italy)
51 caps, 4 goals
Imposing attacking right back who breaks forward with speed and terrifying physical power. Has also made huge improvements in the defensive side of the game, which keeps him in front of Daniel Alves as first choice. This will be his first World Cup, though he has twice won both the Copa America and the Confederations Cup.
MICHEL BASTOS
2-8-83
Lyon (France)
3 caps
Has made a late bid for the left back slot, appearing in three consecutive friendlies in late 2009 and early 2010. Has not played in the position for years at club level, where he frequently features as an attacking midfielder cutting in from the right. If he keeps his place his defensive abilities will be put under the microscope. An excellent striker of set pieces.
THIAGO SILVA
22-9-84
Milan (Italy)
6 caps
Hugely talented centre back, physically strong and with excellent anticipation and timing in the tackle. Loves to make an attacking contribution and possesses a fearsome shot. Already an idol at Milan and a luxury deputy for Juan in the national team. Made his name with Fluminense.
Midfielders
ELANO
14-6-81
Galatasaray (Turkey)
40 caps, 6 goals
Has been a favourite throughout the Dunga reign because of his versatility. Used on the right of midfield, where he can cover for the advances of Maicon, help set up the play and finish as well. Is also a precise striker of free kicks and corners. Made his name with Santos.
FELIPE MELO
26-8-83
Juventus (Italy)
Tall, powerful figure who had been largely forgotten in Brazil when Dunga called him into the squad at the start of last year. Looked instantly at home, forming a central block with Gilberto Silva and enjoying some liberty to break forward. Offers sound distribution and fierce tacking – sometimes too fierce. Picks up plenty of cards.
GILBERTO SILVA
7-10-76
Panathinaikos (Greece)
84 caps, 3 goals
Much criticised symbol of the Dunga reign. Veteran holding midfielder, ex-centre back with defensive awareness and the capacity to drop into the back line. But ponderous in possession and showing signs of slowing up. Went to the last two World Cups as a reserve and ended up first choice. This time is sure to start.
JOSUE
19-7-79
Wolfsburg (Germany)
26 caps, 1 goal
Another Dunga favourite. Little central midfielder with the dynamism to mark, pass and move. A squad player, usually on the bench, who has struggled to impose himself in the national team, though he was an important member of the side that won the 2007 Copa America.
JULIO BAPTISTA
1-10-81
Roma (Italy)
40 caps, 5 goals
Powerful barrel chested figure, originally a central midfielder, converted to a striker in Spain and Kaka’s deputy as attacking midfielder in the Brazil squad. The hero of the 2007 Copa America win, has since earned Dunga’s undying loyalty – always called up even when not getting a regular game for his club.
KAKA
15-5-82
Real Madrid (Spain)
71 caps, 23 goals
The king of the side, will want to make his definitive statement as an international footballer in this, his third World Cup. With his power and acceleration, directness and technical ability, has the gift of making football look easy. Form and fitness have suffered this season after the move from Milan.
KLEBERSON
19-6-79
Flamengo
31 caps, 2 goals
Dynamic, versatile, two footed midfielder. After a disappointing spell in Europe, first with Manchester United and then with Besiktas, Kleberson emerged from the wilderness to recapture his 2002 World Cup winning form and secure a place in Dunga’s final 23.
RAMIRES
24-3-87
Benfica (Portugal)
11 caps
Made his name as a goalscoring midfielder with Cruzeiro, and broke into the national team last year. Was ever present in the Confederations Cup campaign. Lithe, pacy figure with good lung power who has enjoyed a successful first season in Europe. Was originally a full back.
Forwards
ADRIANO
17-2-82
Flamengo
48 caps, 27 goals
Hulking centre forward with a left foot that can be both subtle and extremely powerful. Has been dogged of late by personal problems. Bounced back well in 2009 on his return to Brazil, but some missed training sessions early this year may have strained Dunga’s patience. Scored two goals in the last World Cup.
GRAFITE
2-4-79
Wolfsburg (Germany)
2 caps, 1 goal
Late developing powerful, lanky striker who works well on the counter attack. A late call up for the recent friendly against Ireland, did his chances no harm with an impressive second half introduction. His only previous cap had come in a friendly against Guatemala five years earlier.
LUIS FABIANO
8-11-80
Seville (Spain)
35 caps, 25 goals
Conquered the excesses of his temperament to become first choice centre forward during the Dunga reign. Aggressive, fluid mover who finishes well on both feet and in the air. Desperate to make his mark in what will probably be his only World Cup. Top scorer in the Confederations Cup and Brazil’s top scorer in qualification.
NILMAR
14-7-84
Villarreal (Spain)
11 caps, 8 goals
Sleek, jet-heeled striker who recovered from a series of injuries to deputise wonderfully well for Robinho in the closing rounds of the qualification campaign, scoring 5 goals in 4 games, including a hat-trick against Chile. Often compared to 1994 World Cup winner Bebeto.
ROBINHO
25-1-84
Santos
68 caps, 20 goals
Through all his problems at club level, always impresses Dunga with the commitment he shows to the national team. Wiry, highly talented king of the stepover who will seek to dismiss the claims that he is physically and mentally lightweight on the big occasion. An option off the bench in the last World Cup who should be first choice this time.
