Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho won't be among MAGIC 34 Brazil selected for Copa America tournament

It's a Brazilian national football team and probably the best Brazilian footballer in the world, Ronaldinho, won't be there? Hmm...

Real Madrid striker Robinho will join AS Roma goalkeeper Doni and midfielder Diego of Werder Bremen in the ''magic 34'' Brazil selected in preparation for the 2007 Copa America in Valenzuela.

As expected, Brazilian football icons Ronaldinho of FC Barcelona and Kaka of AC Milan were not selected for Brazil's campaign in South America from June 26 to July 15.

The 2007 Copa America will officially be Brazil's first competitive campaign with Dunga in command of the team. (Yep, even their managers don't have last names...) Dunga chose mostly young players for the Copa America and will narrow the ''magic 34'' down to the final 22-man roster which will be announced on June 5.

The 2007 Copa America will enable Dunga to analyze each player before they set their sights to China for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Despite the Brazilians' dominance over the sport, the Olympics is ONLY the major football competition they have never won.

From the list announced by Dunga, only eight players were chosen for Brazil's 2006 World Cup squad; Ze Roberto, Robinho, Fred, Cicinho, Gilberto, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva and Juan.

Most players chosen have little experience with the national team, THAT includes newcomers Anderson from Portugal's Porto and Afonso from SC Herenveen of the Netherlands.

Some of the notables selected were FC Barcelona's Edmilson, Arsenal's Julio Baptista and Gilberto Silva and Schalke's Lincoln.

Ronaldinho and Kaka wanted to be excluded from the Brazilian national team saying that they want to enjoy vacation after their grueling European season.

Want more odds? Visit OddsHQ for more soccer betting odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

Copa America Ronaldinho