Ronaldinho's good form for Flamengo has earned him a seleção recall (VIPCOMM)

Ronaldinho has been recalled to the Brazilian national team for the friendly match against Ghana in London on September 5. It is his second call up under coach Mano Menezes and the first since Brazil’s 1-0 loss against Argentina nine months ago in Qatar.

There have been growing calls for his inclusion in the squad following Brazil’s poor performances against Germany and in the Copa America as well as Ronalidnho’s improved form and fitness for Flamengo. He has been instrumental in their rise to the top (well, they are currently second) of the Serie A table with nine goals and was quite sensational in their 5-4 victory over Santos last month. He missed Flamengo’s 4-1 home loss to Atlético GO last night through suspension.

Real Madrid left back Marcelo gets a recall after being punished for accidentally sending an email to Mano Menezes expressing his delight at not having to report for international friendly duty due to an injury (he thought he was sending the email to Madrid’s medical staff). New boys (called up for the first time in Mano’s last squad) Ralf, Luis Gustavo, Fernandinho and Dedé get another chance and Leandro Damião’s goalscoring exploits have not gone unnoticed. Ramires, Elano, Renato Augusto, Maicon, Fred and the hapless André Santos have been left out. Santos and Brazil u20 right-back-cum-midfielder Danilo gets his first call to the senior side. Cruzeiro keeper Fábio has also been called up while Hulk (Porto) and Adriano (Barcelona) have also been given chances again.

The full list is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Julio César (Inter Milan), Fábio (Cruzeiro), Jefferson (Botafogo)

Full backs: Danilo (Santos), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Adriano (Barcelona)

Centre backs: Lúcio (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Dedé (Vasco), David Luiz (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Elias (Atlético Madrid), Ralf (Corinthians), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Lucas Moura (São Paulo), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Hulk (Porto), Neymar (Santos), Robinho (AC Milan), Leandro Damião (Internacional)

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