Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite aka Kaka won’t be making his much awaited return to the Brazilian national team after a calf injury ruled him out of the Selecao’s upcoming friendlies against Gabon and Egypt.
The Real Madrid star who has been in fantastic form for Los Merengues these past few weeks will have to wait a little longer to play his first match for his country in more than a year.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Brazil coach Mano Menezes expressed his disappointment at not being able to have Kaka for the matches.
“It is a missed chance. We felt that it was the right time for Kaka to come back into the Selecao, but football does not work like that,” Menezes said.
“The unexpected can always happen, as is the case with him and with Marcelo. He will be there next time. The process has been delayed a little, but it will happen sooner than later.”
Meanwhile in a very shocking twist, Chelsea and Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa has refused to play for his country in their up coming Euro 2012 play off against Bosnia and Herzegovina unless and until Paulo Bento is dismissed as coach of the national team.
Apparently, Bosingwa feels disrespected by the coach and has decided to retire from international football. This spat started as a result of the comments Bento made questioning Bosingwa’s attitude and mental strength.
When interviewed by A Bola, Bosingwa responded with some very harsh comments.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about with his comments about my mentality and attitude. I feel offended and disrespected by his remarks. I will never wear the Portugal jersey again as long as he’s in charge,”
“I am proud to say that I have a spotless record with the national team, unlike Bento. His behaviour at Euro 2000 left much to be desired.
“It is public knowledge that he always has conflicts with players. He does not have the mental and emotional capacities to lead a group of men and is completely unsuited to lead the national team.”
The Euro 2000 event that Bosingwa mentioned has to do with Bento’s 5 month suspension for what has only been revealed as ‘bad behaviour’. Bosingwa is not the only player who is on record for having taken such a hard stance towards a fellow team mate or coach.
Holland’s Patrick Kluivert is also on record as saying that he could never play for Holland as long as striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy was a part of the team. Of course, Kluivert went on to retire and Van Nistelrooy continued to play, however, in Bosingwa’s case, it would definitely be a huge blow to his country and himself and in the true spirit of the game, may be he should consider the interests of his country before his own interests.
Photo Credit © Milan Time
