Gilberto: Ireland clash crucial to our Olympic build-up

NO Ronaldinho. No Kaka. No Pato. If it was any other country arriving without three of their franchise names you’d feel cheated but this is Brazil and the ‘Seneçao’ never lose their allure.

The top three sides in the English Premier League have all contributed familiar faces in the forms of Gilberto Silva, Anderson and Alex. Real Madrid’s Robinho is expected to start alongside them. Still a strong cast then.

Others have gathered from Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Brazil itself and, though the absence of Pato – described as the ‘next big thing’ – is a disappointment, the rest of the squad is awash with potential.