Quão brilhante! These fans turned up at full force to watch Brasil play Ireland in London yesterday… and if this isn’t hardcore (ok, that title belongs to the River and Boca fans), then we’re not quite sure what is!
As expected, manos defeated Ireland 2-0 and the goals were thanks to Robinho (although it was deflected and considered an own goal! Poor Keith Andrews, time for some chicken broth, love). As you can tell, tipos were clamoring over themselves to do well as the Copa del Mundo approaches. Adriano also started alongside his amigo in Santos and of course…. fofo Nilmaaaaar himself came in as a replacement for the goalscorer himself later in the game.
This edition of the Selecao Bootcamp was a relatively short one as the guys make their way back to their clubs to play in the domestic leagues. We look forward to more jacuzzi stretching exercises in próximos jogos!
We’re in day two of the Seleção Bootcamp specials… and these manos skipped gym conditioning and went to the Emirates stadium to start work immediately! According to Dopey, the objective was to get the players back to their clubs in ‘fine form’. And if you’re in London and have yet to wrap yourself in a flag at Hotel Dorchester, please sit up AGORA!
The team was divided into two as usual for an 11-a-side match-up yesterday evening , but since there was one extra player, Lucio wore a white vest and was allowed to play for both sides! As a result, whenever he picked up the ball, they started booing him. “Please do not mention who was the worst player on the field today,” joked Kaka. “Today there were so many that you can’t choose (only) one.”
Sadly, the game takes place tomorrow – so tipos won’t be getting into the jacuzzi anytime soon!
fotos de R.Ribeiro
Don’t you hate it when everything ends in a stalemate? Maçante! Where’s the spirit, Madrid? Tipos ought to rewrite their new-year resolutions as soon as possible, and remove the part about getting new car windshields. Pellegrini, victories are the ones that count so stop spending Perez’s credit on nail polish, vale?!
Anyway, in case you think we’re talking in circles, Madrid drew 0-0 with Osasuna last night. Barca themselves gave them a chance to take the lead after their 1-1 draw against Villarreal on Saturday. Apparently, the club’s CEO is pissed that Nilmar wasn’t awarded a penalty after being fouled by Goldilocks Puyol. Shit, he’s right! For Nilmar, the referee should’ve brought out the candy floss machine. How dare they mistreat Nilmaaaar!
In other news, Ibracadabra’s love, Helena Seger made her presence known at Barca’s game. Don’t you think she can be Sylvie van der Vaart’s twin? You can totally imagine their conversations…. Helena : “Oh älskling, did you see the new Vuitton? Splendid, yes?” Sylvie : “Um, ja? Rafael is totally on the VIP-lijst. We get de zakken from Marc Jacobs himself!”
via AFP, AP
Ei chicas, you have to admit that front page image with David Villaaaaa in his Kung-Fu pose is muito legal!!! He looks ferosha… come on, his daughter already thinks it’s cool and has started to draw on it with her red Crayola. Anyway, Villaaaa opened the scoring against Osasuna in the sixth minute thanks to his outstretched boot (talk about being at the right place, at the right time) last night. David Albelda and Carlos Marchena scored the other two goals.
“This is a tough place to come and we played really well to win the game,” said Albelda. “We are growing as a team and just have to keep going the way we are and see what happens.”
Also, David Silva’s hair is calling out to be in a Sunsilk ad…. seriously, darle una oportunidad!
So tipo over here was the hero for Villarreal yesterday, following a bad start to their season. Nilmar didn’t even have to change the colour of his jersey… all he needed was two goals bebes! Thanks to him, it looks like El Submarino Amarillo are slowly starting to find their pace again, scoring 14 goals in their last four games.
“Despite the result it wasn’t easy,” said Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde. “I liked what I saw of my team and think we were better so we are happy with how we played as well as the result.”
And it’s L for Laura Guimarães! Nilmar scored a beauty of a header in Brazil’s 1-0 victory over England yesterday (let’s not talk about that Fabulouso penalty shall we, the sky fell down when that happened!) and aptly dedicated the goal to his wife! Awww … Que romântico… trazer para fora as velas! (bring out the candles).
So Dopey officially called up 24 homens for the selecao’s upcoming friendly matches next month. Ooooh yes, we mean that exciting one against England in Qatar on the 14th and the other one against Oman in Muscat. And futbolitas, are you ready for some new names? Say “Bem-vido!” to Porto’s Brazilian sensation, ‘Hulk’ Souza (they call him that because he resembles Lou Ferrigno) who will wear yellow for the first time after shining in the Liga Sagres. The same goes for Fabio Aurelio, whom Dopey is calling up for the first time. You know he was totally impressed while watching Sunday night’s derby and his Scouser of a nephew started yelling at him to ‘pick Fabio!’
Also new to the squad is Lyon’s Michel Bastos, who apparently told Dopey that he’d ‘play in any position’ so long as he got called up to the selecao. Tipo, isso é patético, mas tudo está perdoado! Lastly, Hoffenheim’s Carlos Eduardo – you’ve might not have heard of him – also earned himself a spot in the team. Well, it’s only a friendly so Dopey’s allowed to experiment. And we don’t know about you… but we’re looking forward to this Selecao Bootcamp! Até então …
Goalkeepers : Julio Cesar (Internazionale) / Doni (Roma)
Defenders : Maicon (Internazionale) Daniel Alves (Barcelona) Luisão (Benfica) Lúcio (Internazionale) Juan (Roma) Naldo (Werder Bremen)
Midfielders : Fábio Aurélio (Liverpool) Michel Bastos (Lyon) Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos) Josué (Wolfsburg) Lucas (Liverpool) Felipe Mello (Juventus) Alex (Spartak Moscou) Julio Baptista (Roma) Ramires (Benfica) Elano (Galatasaray) Kaká (Real Madrid) Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim)
Strikers : Robinho (Manchester City) Luís Fabiano (Sevilla) Nilmar (Villareal) Hulk (Porto)
The only person who looks ready for this family and class photo is… Andre Santos! Nevertheless, manos failed to secure a win over the Bolivians yesterday… losing 2-1 to them instead. it must have been the altitude! Nilmar scored the only goal for the selecao, but as they say in Brazil, poderia ter sido melhor! No excuses.
“We slept (when) the first goal went in. It’s very complicated … the timing of the ball was impressive. (You) must be a little faster … but it was as an experience,” said Julio Cesar. “I did not jump for the ball. I crouched to see the ball and got no reaction time. If I was standing, I might have seen it.”
Oh well, at least they’ve already qualified. Plus, Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Gilberto Silva were spared from the game due to the altitude risks (now we know who’re the more valued jugadores..). They’re already preparing to face Venezuela and they’d better win!
Bom dia and welcome to Day 2 of the Brazilian Bootcamp! Both our coach and goalkeeper are enjoying a Soul Sista moment in the photo above (Dunga : “Gurrrl, you got strength!” The Cesar : “Adriano ain’t got nuthin’ on me, lady. Uh-uh.” ) And that’s because Juliolita had a field day during yesterday’s training - saving almost everyone’s shots at goal and getting teased in the process.
Barbecue King, Adriano was really pumped up and put many goals past Julio, but when his former Flamengo mano saved it, there were plenty of jokes. “Are you kicking with all your strength? What do you want? You (Adriano) are always like popcorn to me!” yelled The Cesar. Later, Dunga made the tipos shoot from a further distance, and this time, many of them missed the target. “For those who do not know, the goal of this sport is to score!” joked Julio again.
Meanwhile, Kaka looks like he just saw an ice-cream truck pulling up into the driveway. Unfortunately, Miranda knows that the best person to ask for Cadbury hot chocolate is still Adriano. Damn, tipo brought the whole kitchen! And since it rained, everyone had to warm down quickly and throw on their windbreakers. They had to do their interviews in the rain… and damn, we hate it when that happens! Still, we spotted our worried looking friend, Rodrigo, wearing a hoodie and windbreaker in the clips below. Você olhar engraçado, tio!
Tudo bem, people?! Welcome to Day 1 of the Selecao bootcamp…. a staple here at Futbolita. And in true spirit, we just did a thorough assessment of the selecao’s arrival at Granja Comary with our Brazilian amiga here, Ana. Gata wants to marry Zagallo but he’s old enough to be her grandfather, so she has now shifted all thoughts to Julio Cesar. On the other hand, Fabulouso is looking sleek in white… he needs to pose for a furniture catalogue agora!
So manos were sent for gym conditioning (to “maintain muscles and detoxification”) ,with Senor Pablo Paixão. This was accompanied by light field training and running exercises. Nilmar is deep in concentration… (while el amigo Lucas is presumably talking about English tea) so do not disturb!
Of course, playing at a high altitude is another issue for selecao. As such, the team’s doctor Jose Luis Runco has confiscated the potato chips from Adriano’s room. “I recommend a light diet for the team – with fruit and carbohydrates. Our position in relation to games at altitude does not change and I hope that FIFA changes it,” he said. “It is advisable to practice the sport at (a suitable) altitude because we run a risk of compromising the life of a human being.”
Added the excited André Santos. : “The secret is to adapt as quickly as possible to play a great game.”
Fotos de R.Ribeiro
via Reuters
We only wished for Nilmar to start against Chile…. and mano went on to score a hat trick against them last night! Daaaamn, tipo over here is keeping track, ya’ll. On hindsight, 4-2 isn’t the perfect score but what else can we say to Nilmar except muito obrigada?! After all, Chile actually equalised 2-2 after Baptista’s 40th minute goal and thought they could get away with a victory. Desculpe, but this is Brasil…
On a sadder note, Felipe Melo had a bad night when he was sent off in the 49th minute for going in with his foot raised on Sanchez. He was also penalized for a foul which led to Humberto Suazo’s penalty for Chile. Speaking of the Melooo, we’ll be speaking to him soon – more details on that to come!
Our Brazilian amiga was in a visibly samba-like mood today so please help yourself to that unopened can of Guaraná and join her as we await the next Bootcamp!
(via Reuters, AP)
Fotos de R.Ribeiro
E ai tipos??!! It’s the final day of our Selecao bootcamp specials and if you’re already bored, please sit by the window and speak Joel Santana English. Yes, you must… we insist!
Anyway, Miranda celebrated his birthday with his amigos yesterday – his cake wasn’t as zany as Julio Cesar’s – but you can never go wrong with strawberries and chocolate. Filipe looks mesmerized by the cake… although you know Juan looks like he’d much prefer tiramisu. Awww.
In more serious news, Dunga has called up four players to face the Chileans later. They are André Dias (São Paulo), Cleiton Xavier (Palmeiras), Diego Souza (Palmeiras) and Diego Tardelli (Atlético Mineiro). Robinho flew home yesterday afternoon, after suffering a nasty injury and will continue treatment at Man City. We hope Nilmar starts!
Brazilian fans gather outside their hotel in Chile to welcome them! / via globo
Summer tales...... / Foto de R.Ribeiro
The Brazilian bombshells have arrived in Tallin for their friendly against Estonia tomorrow. OK, Gomes doesn’t know anything about the Estonian national team but still, it’s always nice to see the seleção. It cures our homesickness!
Anyway, homies are staying at the Radisson Hotel and except for Inter’s trio of Maicon, Julio Cesar and Lucio who arrive today, a crowd of screaming boys and girls waited to welcome the squad. Doesn’t Felipe Meloooo look like a high school stud trying to round up his gang of friends? Luisao is not amused!
Caras also gathered to have dinner together last night. And ya’ll know that Kaka told the best story at the table followed by Dani Alves‘ fishmonger tale (“Na verdade, eu não comer peixe!!” he cried). Nilmar looked excited to share his story about the crying children at his official presentation (“Eu queria chorar também..”) Well, they didn’t exactly say any of those things but imagination is key, amigas!
According to our friends, the view of the city from the Radisson hotel is “beautiful” and the sunset happens at exactly 9:30pm every night. Awww, how romantic. Robinho and co’ can certainly toast to that! Training will take place in the afternoon later today. Enjoy the photos…
Awwww, why are they all crying?! That’s not a very nice way to welcome Nilmar, isn’t it?
Anyway, doesn’t cara look fineeeeee in the Villarreal kit? Maybe we’re so used to seeing him in the Brazilian colours, so yellow is practically second nature to him. The striker was officially unveiled to the fans and media yesterday, after signing a five-season contract with the yellow submarines.
“Negotiations are always complicated but I always had great desire to play in Spain because (they play) football like the Brazilians and have great technique,” he said.
“I am full of pride and responsibility. I know I have to score goals and help the team.”
Foto de Globo
Nilmar is walking away from Internacional!!! Yes, the striker will officially be presented as a Villarreal player later tonight at El Madrigal. The striker will also be parading the team’s new kit. No eagle is slated to make an appearance, though, so everyone please sit down.
Well, we’ve been waiting for cara to make his move to Europe since forever. Everyone from Palermo, Wolfsburg and Milan had been knocking on his door but it looks like Villarreal found the magic solution. They paid 15 million euros for him and we’re sure the money will be worth it.
“I have the opportunity to play in one of the strongest leagues in the world. I (want to) develop and succeed in Europe as well as did in Brazil,” said Nilmar.
Pretty random choice of a team considering the transfer talk – but good ol’ Nilmar seems to be heading in Wolfsburg’s direction if you believe the Brazilian pressies. It’s a great move (they’re German Champs after all) but the question on our mind is… why go to Germany now?
Apparently, the deal was finalized yesterday and is mano is worth €15.5 million (U.S. $ 41.9 million). Nilmaaaar is expected to stay in Germany for at least five seasons.
Well, we all know how the Brazilians do there! Remember Diego and Sarah Conner? The gossip rags love making things up even though he had a girlfriend at home!
Good morning everyone… Felipe Melo is NOT amused!
In day ocho of the selecao’s training session at the Super Stadium, Pretoria, the subs played a game against the Under-17 Super Sport United boys. In case you’re wondering, SSU is a team that competes in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa. The selecao won the mini match 2-0 with goals from Baptista and Nilmaaaaaaar. And as for the players who started against Egypt, they had to run around the field. That’s typically Pablo’s (physical coach) techniques before the ball control and technical work starts again today!
After the training session, the Super Sport kids were praised by the journalists for their agility and ability to handle the game well. Of course, they proceeded to take photos with Kaka, Dani Alves, Pato and Robinho afterwards. Juan’s facial expression…. priceless!
Photos courtesy R.Ribeiro
The seleção defeated Paraguay 2-1 at the Arruda Stadium yesterday and Nilmar scored!!!!! Ok, excuse our outburst but we had been waiting to see this mano do well at international level and he finally did yesterday. Dopey decided to start him alongside Robinho and the look on his face after scoring was pure delirium.
Even Luis Fabiano – who didn’t play – was impressed with the results. “Nilmar came and finished the job,” he said after the game.
There was a little bit of pressure in the first half as Paraguay opened the scoring via a Salvador Cabanas strike. Fortunately for us, Robinho equalized in the 41st minute and Nilmar made it 2-1 in the second half, thanks to a Felipe Melo cross. Pato wasted a great opportunity in the 74th min but was too busy thinking about his wedding dinner and missed instead.
“I want to dedicate this victory to the followers in the (stadium) for the love and support they showed in the more difficult moments of the match,” said Kaka, after the game.
Anyway, Lucio was excited to arrive back at the hotel after the game. “At the entrance of the hotel, the people (there) applauded for the Brazilian national team without stopping. It was so spontaneous,” he said.
Photos : AFP, R.Ribeiro
So our boys will meet Uruguay later today in a crucial World Cup qualifying match. Oh Dunga, please field Nilmar/Pato in attack! There’s a high likelihood the smiling Luis Fabiano (above) will be in the starting XI, though. Anyway, in day four of the selecao bootcamp, a few players did their rounds answering the press. Every player gets their turn (it’s usually six per day, depending on the situation). You can only imagine the questions that Kaka will be getting in a few days. With that said, they’ll probably protect him but who knows?
Unfortunately, six players in the squad have yellow cards to their name. Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Gilberto Silva, Elano, Kaka and Luis Fabiano must ensure they don’t waste any unnecessary tackles to incur a foul in today’s game (if they are fielded) or risk suspensions for Wednesday’s match against Paraguay.
Well Josué thinks it won’t be a problem if any of the manos get suspended.
“Here in the selection we do not think of (who gets) a yellow card. There are many players who can play. Whoever plays in a defensive position will (be served) yellow cards. And for the away games, anything can happen and the risk of receiving yellow cards is higher,” he said.
Fotos : R.Ribeiro
Anyway, Kaka did the usual yesterday refusing to answer questions about his ‘future’. Instead, he ran past journalists, waving and smiling like a good Samaritan. As for newcomer Nilmar, he fielded questions about missing the Brazilian Cup to play for the national team.
“I watched the game (Internacional vs Coritiba) on Wednesday and let it slide,” he said. “Nothing is more complicated. I just saw the fans cheering.”
Nilmar – who has obviously picked up fashion tips from Sergio Ramos - is looking forward to meeting the rest of the seleção on Monday, as they prepare for the World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup.
However, the striker is currently nursing a hip injury and fears that this may affect his performances for the team.
“I will introduce myself to the selection on Monday without problems,” he said. The idea is to be available to play both qualifiers. My recovery has been good and I’m improving.”
“I will play on Sunday (for Internacional) to ensure that I don’t lose my pace but I think it is too early think about it. I was worried (about my hips) because the pain was very strong and (prevented) a few movements. But fortunately I am better now.”
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