Ronaldinho back for Brazil in Italy friendly

Former European footballer of the year Ronaldinho was on Monday recalled to Brazil’s squad by coach Carlos Dunga for a friendly international against Italy in London next month.

The 28-year-old striker, also the FIFA World Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005, is part of a Europe-based squad also including his AC Milan team-mates, midfielder Kaka, striker Alexandre Pato and keeper Thiago Silva.

Manchester City’s Robinho and Inter Milan’s Adriano are also in the squad, adding to Dunga’s attacking options for the fixture at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium on February 10.

Dunga called up 25-year-old Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo for the first time after praising the player in recent performances.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson was also on Dunga’s list although just three days ago it was announced he would be out for three weeks with an ankle injury after being stretchered off in the League Cup semi-final win over Derby on January 20.

Brazil squad for friendly against Italy on February 10

Keepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Doni (AS Roma/ITA)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan (AS Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Adriano Correia (Sevilla/ESP)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Anderson (Manchester United/ENG), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina/ITA), Elano (Manchester City/ENG), Julio Baptista (AS Roma/ITA), Ronaldinho (AC Milan/ITA), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA)

Strikers: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Adriano (Inter Milan/ITA), Robinho (Manchester City/ENG)