Menezes Banks On Ronaldinho’s Against Ghana Int’l Friendly

Brazil coach Mano Menezes hopes Ronaldinho can revitalise his struggling side when A Selecao face Ghana in a friendly in London today.

Menezes handed Ronaldinho a surprise recall for the fixture at Fulham’s Craven Cottage after the former Barcelona and AC Milan forward showed signs of a renaissance late in his career. The 31-year-old looked to have been cast into international exile for good when he was left out of Brazil’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

At that point Ronaldinho was a shadow of the flamboyant star who helped Brazil win the 2002 FIFA World Cup and led Barcelona to the 2006 UEFA Champions League. He has played only once for Brazil since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a 1-0 friendly defeat against Argentina in 2010,  but has enjoyed a fine run of form with his club side.

Ronaldinho has scored 15 times this season, a prolific spell perfectly timed for Menezes, who is desperate to inject some swagger into a Brazilian team that was bereft of inspiration as they crashed out of the Copa America in the quarter-finals and then lost 3-2 to Germany in a friendly.

“Ronaldinho is a world champion with the Brazil team and after his return to the country he has readjusted and he is playing very well,” Menezes said. “He is becoming one of the best players of the season and what has been successful with  his club can also help the national team.”

The fixture also offers a chance for redemption for Marcelo, Real Madrid’s attacking left-back, who has yet to feature since Menezes took charge and fell out with his coach after deciding he was unfit to play in the Copa America. The pair have patched up their relationship sufficiently for Marcelo to return to the squad and he now hopes to cement a place.