With the heavily-favored Brazilians struggling against the mysterious North Koreans‘ seemingly impenetrable defense (dropping ten back will do that) for much of their opening match, you may have wondered: why don’t the Brazilians put in Ronaldinho? After all, if anyone could samba their way past the North Koreans’ back line, it’d be him.
Reminder: Ronaldinho Is Not On Brazil’s 2010 World Cup Team
↵Well, contrary to what Nike’s ad people might have you believe, Ronaldinho isn’t actually participating in the World Cup. No -- he hasn’t been added to the litany of top tier players sidelined with injury. He just didn’t make Brazil’s team. Really.
↵Nike’s ubiquitous (and impressive) “Write The Future” World Cup ad was in production for over a year, so they included Brazil’s presumptive leader before finding out he wouldn’t make it on the pitch in South Africa. So while Ronaldinho’s face may be plastered on your television during halftime, you won’t catch him sniping any free kicks during the action. And yes, the Brazilians are so ridiculously loaded that they decided they had no use for a 30-year old, former two-time FIFA Player of the Year. Must be nice.
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