Brazil in the World Cup 2010

CBF and Nike presented today the new yellow Brazilian jersey for the World Cup 2014; the uniform will be worn for the first time in the match against Ireland, on March 2nd.

This new uniform is eco-friendly, made of recycled polyester; each jersey is, according to CBF, recycled from eight PET bottles.

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The design was inspired in the uniform of the World Cup 1970; the collar is green and round; there is a green strip on each shoulder, with small perfurations to allow transpiration.

Talking about easy transpiration, Nike used the same Dri-fit technology in the fabric, but made it 13% lighter; Dri-fit technology forces sweat to the external side of the shirt, keeping players drier and with a lower body temperature.

Nike improved also on the ventilation zones in either side of the jersey, as well as in the area below the waist; there are now about 200 laser drilled small holes, with a reinforcement patch to prevent tearings, which increase air flow by up to 7% compared to the previous design, with 10% more elasticity.

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In the back of the collar there is a tag with the inscription “Brasil”, and in the inner collar there is a tag with a small Brazilian flag and the inscription “Nascido para jogar futebol”, meaning “Born to play football”. In the back of the CBF badge (i.e., on the heart of the players), there is an inscription “Com muito orgulho, com muito amor”, meaning “With much pride, with much love” (a kind of anthem that the Brazilian crowd loves to sing, which goes: “I am Brazilian, with much pride, with much love” – see video below).

The matching shorts are in blue Royal, with a white strip in each side, again inspired in the 1970 team; in the inner side of the waist line there are five stars sewed in white.

Socks are white, with a green stripe, and the world “Brasil” in each side.

Coach Dunga announced today the players who will be in London on March 2nd to play against Ireland, the last match of the Brazilian team before the World Cup 2010.

The roster: Julio Cesar (Internazionale); Doni (Roma); Maicon (Internazionale); Daniel Alves (Barcelona); Lúcio (Internazionale); Juan (Roma); Thiago Silva (Milan); Luisão (Benfica); Michel Bastos (Lyon); Gilberto (Cruzeiro); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos); Felipe Melo (Juventus); Josué (Wolfsburg); Kleberson (Flamengo); Ramires (Benfica); Julio Baptista (Roma); Elano (Galatasaray); Kaká (Real Madrid); Robinho (Santos); Nilmar (Villareal); Luís Fabiano (Sevilla); Adriano (Flamengo).

The list draws attention because past experiences and common sense show that there are usually few differences between the roster for the last match before the Cup and the actual roster for the Cup. The only certain alteration is that Dunga is taking only two goalkeepers to London (Julio Cesar and Doni), and will take three to South Africa (the third one will probably be Victor, from Gremio Porto Alegre).

The most noticeable absence is Ronaldinho, from Milan.

Update, Feb. 27th. Luís Fabiano got injured, and won’t be in London. To replace Fabiano, Dunga chose Grafite, currently playing in German Wolfsburg (Grafite already played in the Brazilian team, back in 2005). Besides, Dunga also called mid-fielder Carlos Eduardo, currently playing in German Hoffenheim (Carlos Eduardo is not replacing anyone, Dunga just decided to call one extra player).

Carlos Eduardo is unknown to most Brazilians. He won’t be in South Africa.  It looks like Dunga is trying to pass the messages: even if someone gets injured, he won’t call Ronaldinho (or Ronaldo, or Pato, or whoever else is being “demanded” by the media) – instead, he  preferred to call Grafite; and even if, for any other reason, any other player must be called, it will be someone of the sorts of Carlos Eduardo.

Update, March 1st. Read this interview with Dunga about the roster.