Monaco sign Brazilian Nene

MONACO (AFP) - Brazilian midfielder Nene has signed for Monaco from Spanish second division outfit Celta Vigo, the principality club said Friday.

Nene's signing was completed after the player obtained dual Spanish-Brazilian nationality, meaning he would no longer take up a non-EU place in the Monaco squad.Monaco said the fee for the 26-year-old is six million euros, with Nene penning a four-year deal.

"The discussions were long and difficult," Nene told AFP. "But that wasn't my doing because I had come to an agreement with Monaco. That problem was between Celta, who were asking for a lot, and Monaco.

But nevertheless I'm a Monaco player. Finally!"Nene has previously worked under Monaco coach Ricardo when he was part of the Brazilian Olympic squad.

He was also being chased by PSV Eindhoven and Olympiakos and joins defender Jeremy Berthod as Monaco's other summer recruit.

Brasileirão Round 20 Results & Standings

Brasileirão 2007 – Round 20 Results
Grêmio 2 x 0 Paraná
Atlético-PR 1 x 1 Figueirense
Santos 2 x 0 Sport
Palmeiras 2 x 1 Flamengo
Juventude 2 x 2 Corinthians
Vasco da Gama 2 x 0 América
Náutico 0 x 1 Atlético-MG
Goiás 0 x 0 São Paulo
Botafogo 1 x 1 Internacional
Cruzeiro 4 x 2 Fluminense

Brasileirão 2007 – Round 20 Standings

Position / Points / Played / Won / Drawn /Lost / Goals For / Goals Against / Goal Difference

1 São Paulo 41 20 12 5 3 24 7 17

2 Cruzeiro 35 19 11 2 6 44 35 9

3 Vasco 34 19 10 4 5 35 21 14

4 Botafogo 34 20 9 7 4 39 28 11

5 Palmeiras 33 20 9 6 5 27 24 3

6 Grêmio 31 20 9 4 7 20 20 0

7 Santos 30 20 9 3 8 29 26 3

8 Goiás 30 20 9 3 8 28 25 3

9 Atlético-MG 28 20 8 4 8 30 28 2

10 Internacional 28 20 8 4 8 27 26 1

11 Sport 27 20 8 3 9 33 36 -3

12 Corinthians 27 20 6 9 5 24 26 -2

13 Fluminense 26 20 6 8 6 23 19 4

14 Figueirense 25 20 6 7 7 29 33 -4

15 Paraná 24 20 6 6 8 21 25 -4

16 Atlético-PR 23 20 5 8 7 30 29 1

17 Náutico 20 20 5 5 10 28 35 -7

18 Flamengo 18 17 4 6 7 22 30 -8

19 Juventude 17 19 4 5 10 21 33 -12

20 América-RN 10 20 3 1 16 16 44 -28

Amauri Itching To Play

The Brazilian striker will start his first Serie A match on Sunday against Roma following the injury he picked up last year in December which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Amauri Carvalho will most likely start from the first minute on Sunday evening as Palermo take on the Giallorossi at the Barbera stadium in the first matchday of Serie A.

"The match against Roma will be a very difficult one because we shall be facing a great team," he commented.

The prolific striker admitted that he is not yet at his best."Right now I still don't have the ninety minutes in my legs, therefore it will be the coach who will decide if I shall start from the beginning or not.

"I have a lot of desire to play and if I will go on the pitch, I will do so with my usual will and determination," he declared.

When asked about a possible national team call-up, Amauri avoided the matter."Right now I only want to think about Palermo," he replied.

AC Milan coach Ancelotti: New slimline Ronaldo will surprise you

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed fans will soon see a new slimline version of Ronaldo.

The Brazilian has often been ridiculed for carrying excess weight, but the root cause is a medical condition known as hypothyroidism where a lack of hormones are produced by the thyroid gland. He has now lost over five kilograms since moving to Milan from Real Madrid.

"You will see him very soon and it will be a surprise for everyone," Ancelotti said yesterday. "He looks like a model and he will have a great season. He is motivated and wants to demonstrate that he is of the world's best strikers."

Dudu agent reveals Portsmouth interest

Portsmouth have made a move for Brazilian midfielder Dudu Cearense, according to the player's agent.

The 24-year-old has spent the last three seasons at CSKA Moscow and has impressed at the Russian giants.

The Brazilian international's agent Antonio Amorim claims Valencia have also expressed an interest in the player, but that Portsmouth are the only team to lodge a bid for Dudu.

"The president of CSKA has received the document with the proposal for Cearense," Amorim told Radio Globo.

"Valencia have also been asking about the player but for the moment, the only team that has done an official proposal has been Portsmouth."

Dudu has admitted he is flattered by the interest from Portsmouth, but that he will leave his future in the hands of CSKA.

"At this moment England has the most wealthy league in the world and I would be very happy to have the chance of playing there," said Dudu.

"For the moment I am under contract at CSKA for two more years so a transfer will only be possible if the officials of my current team agree that I can leave."

Fuming Daniel Alves returns to Sevilla

Sevilla wing-back Daniel Alves was visibly angry as he arrived back in Spain yesterday.

Alves had returned from Brazil's friendly against Algeria, where he had seen teammate Juliano Belletti clinch a move to Chelsea earlier in the day.

Alves was convinced he would be joining Chelsea, but the Premiership giants refused to do business over president Jose Maria del Nido's massive £28 million asking price.

"I don't want to talk," Alves told an army of waiting media yesterday. Asked how he felt, the Brazilian snapped: "Can't you tell?"

Late winner gives England 2-1 win over Brazil at U-17 World Cup

GOYANG CITY, South Korea: England stunned Brazil with a last-gasp 2-1 victory to claim top spot in Group B at the Under-17 World Cup on Friday.

Defender Jordan Spence scored in the second minute of stoppage time to give England a dramatic victory and secure first place in the group in its first ever U-17 World Cup, with three-time winner Brazil to go through to the next round as runner-up.

Brazil took the lead in the 19th minute with a long-range freekick by Internacional's Tales that brought back memories of Ronaldinho's goal against England in the senior World Cup in 2002.

England received a penalty for handball in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the first half, with Henri Lansbury converting to level scores at the break.

Brazil too received a penalty in the 79th minute, but Lulinha's spotkick was blocked by England goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

Just as it seemed the game would end level, West Ham's Spence popped up for a clever finish to give England the win, though there was still time for England' substitute Tom Taiwo to be sent off

Brazil coach Lucho Nizzo described the result as "unfair" given England scored from two set pieces while his side had the better of general play.

"The circumstances of this defeat in no way change how confident we are of winning this championship," Nizzo said. "We've performed well enough to be able to reach the final, and that's where we're going to be."

Ronaldinho to gain Spanish citizenship

MADRID, Spain: Ronaldinho will reportedly receive Spanish citizenship next Monday, making him eligible to appear for FC Barcelona as a European Union player.

The 27-year-old Brazil forward will swear allegiance to the Spanish Constitution in Barcelona, Catalan sports daily Mundo Deportivo said Thursday.

In addition, Barcelona's teenage Mexican forward Giovani Dos Santos is expected to gain Spanish citizenship next Tuesday or Wednesday.

That would leave Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o and Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure as Barcelona's non-EU players. Spanish clubs are allowed three non-EU players.

Ronaldinho, who won FIFA's world player of the year award in 2004 and '05, has helped Barcelona win the Champions League and two Spanish league titles since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003.

Barcelona, which finished second behind Real Madrid last season, opens its league campaign against Racing Santander on Sunday.

Denilson signs for FC Dallas

MIAMI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Former Brazil midfielder Denilson has signed for Major League Soccer's FC Dallas.

Once the world's most expensive player when he joined Spanish club Real Betis for $35 million in 1998, Denilson was a member of the Brazil team that won the World Cup in 2002.

After leaving Betis is 2005, the midfielder, who turns 30 on Friday, played for Bordeaux in France and then switched to Saudi team Al-Nasr.

"We are extremely excited to be able to add a world-class player like Denilson to our squad," said Dallas's Northern Irish head coach Steve Morrow.

"We've worked hard to build a team with players that have exceptional ability and also have the right attitude off the field.

"Adding a player like Denilson will improve us further and give us a boost as we go into the final stretch of the season," Morrow told the team's Web site.

Denilson joins Dallas under the 'Designated Player' ruling, which allows for flexibility from salary restrictions. It is the same ruling that enabled LA Galaxy to sign England international David Beckham.

The Brazilian will have to wait for his work visa before he is able to make his debut in MLS.
"I am anxious to get started playing, and to join a team that is in a good position in the league. I hope that through my work I will be able to contribute to this team and have success in this league," Denilson said.

Alex, Gilberto Silva back in Brazil squad for friendlies against United States, Mexico

MONTPELLIER, France: Midfielder Gilberto Silva and defender Alex were recalled to Brazil's squad Thursday for next month's friendlies against the United States and Mexico.

Striker Afonso and defenders Lucio and Juan are also back after missing Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Algeria behind goals by Ronaldinho and Maicon on Wednesday.

Coach Dunga otherwise selected the same squad as he prepares for World Cup qualifying, which begins in October. Brazil will debut against Colombia before playing Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay.

"We already have an idea for the team we'll use," Dunga said. "But all players must remain alert and maintain their performance."

Brazil will play the United States on Sept. 9 in Chicago and Mexico three days later in Boston.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma).

Defenders: Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (AS Roma), Alex (Chelsea), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Kleber (Santos).

Midfielders: Josue (Sao Paulo), Diego (Werder Bremen), Elano (Manchester City), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Kaka (AC Milan), Fernando (Bordeaux), Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona), Julio Batista (Real Madrid), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal).

Forwards: Robinho (Real Madrid), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow), Afonso (Heerenveen).

Match Highlights : Brazil Vs Algeria (22 Aug 07)

Brazil earns 2-0 win over Algeria in friendly

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) - Maicon and Ronaldinho scored second-half goals Wednesday to give Brazil a 2-0 win over Algeria in a friendly international.

Maicon nodded in a corner kick from Ronaldinho in the 63rd minute, and the Barcelona playmaker doubled the lead in the 81st by tucking home a low shot from Diego that was deflected by goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

"It's a pleasure to come back in France, have a good game, and help the Selecao," Ronaldinho said.
Brazil dominated ball possession in the first half but failed to convert that into goals.

Maicon connected with Robinho in the sixth, but the Real Madrid forward's curling drive was punched away by Gaouaoui.

The Algeria goalkeeper then denied Elano in the eighth, and blocked an angled shot from Julio Baptista in the 30th.

Mineiro slipped a through ball to Vagner Love in the 34th, but Gaouaoui rushed outside his area to stop the CSKA Moscow striker.
Algeria retaliated on counterattacks.

Set up by Karim Ziani, Rafik Saifi broke the offside trap in the 23rd. But Saifi lost his one-on-one dual against goalkeeper Doni, who tackled the ball as the Lorient forward attempted to dribble past him.

"We played some nice football," Ziani said. "We don't have to be ashamed. ... We have to keep on improving so that we can become competitive in Africa."

Ronaldinho and Kaka came off the bench in the second half to boost Brazil's offense.

Ronaldinho had a curling free kick on target in the 47th, but Gaouaoui made the save.

The Barcelona playmaker crossed the ball to Kaka in the 60th but the AC Milan midfielder's volley from the edge of the box was diverted by defender Ismael Bouzid.

Algeria had opportunities to score a consolation goal in the second half but lacked the finishing touch.

Brazil will face the United States on Sept. 9 and Mexico on Sept. 12 before starting 2010 World Cup qualifying in October.

Emerson joins Italian giant AC Milan

Madrid, Spain - Real Madrid midfielder Emerson, a Brazilian, is returning to the Italian Serie A with AC Milan.

Emerson, 31, played for Real last season but has spent most of his career in the Serie A. Terms of the deal were not released.

He previously played for Roma and Juventus in Italy.

The Italian season starts Aug. 25. AC Milan, which won the Champions League, last year, plays its first game at Genoa on Aug. 26.

The Spanish La Liga also starts on Aug. 25. Real hosts Atletico Madrid in its season opener.

Assuncao leaves Betis

Betis and Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao have agreed to a mutual termination of the player's contract.

The free-kick specialist was one of the big earners at the club and it is believed that Hector Cuper wanted him off the wage bill.

The former Roma man spent five years with the Sevilla side, and said that his love for the club will see him seek a new club outside of Spain.

"I don't have any plans at this exact moment. We'll decide in the next few days what I'm going to do, but I'd prefer to leave Spain as I would hate to play against Betis," he said.

"I will always have the fans in my heart, even when I move back to Brazil, they will be with me."
The 31-year-old made over 150 appearances for Betis and has been capped 11 times by Brazil.

Daily Video : Brazil 7 - 0 New Zealand (U-17 World Cup 1st Group Game)

International Friendly Preview: Brazil - Algeria

What: International Friendly, Brazil - Algeria

When: Wednesday 22/08/07, 18:30 (Paris Time)

Where: Stade de la Masson, Montpellier, France

Background
It’s time for Dunga’s Brazil to swing into action for the first time since the conquest of the Copa América in Venezuela a little over a month ago (15/07/07). The testy tactician has been vindicated with the win and has surprised many by being able to tough out the storm of criticism that hit his footballing philosophy. The question now is if Dunga is able to blend the stars that begged out of Venezuela back into the mix.

The Canarinha (Canary Yellow) rivals are Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) of Algeria who are currently battling it out for a place in the sun in Group 8 of the CAN (African Nations Cup) along with Guinea, Gambia and Cape Verde. Corsican Coach Jean-Michel Cavalli (ex-Créteil, Gazélec Ajaccio, Al-Riyadh, Lille OSC and Al Nasr) will be demanding the most of his men against Brazil.

Team News
BRAZIL

To refresh memories of the last match played by Brazil it was a tasty 3-0 gutting of arch-rivals Argentina. The Albiceleste came to the table as firm favourites after a string of flowing wins that oozed classy football but were torn apart by a Brazil that eschewed the finer points of technique in favour of grit and solidity. The line-up (with the defensive-minded midfield that so irritated Brazilians back home) was as follows:

BRAZIL (4-4-2): 12 - Doni; 2 - Maicon; 3 - Alex; 4 - Juan and 6 - Gilberto; 17 - Josué, 5 - Mineiro, 7 - Elano, (13 - Daniel Alves) and 19 - Júlio Baptista; 11 - Robinho (10 - Diego) and 9 - Vágner Love (18 - Fernando)Coach: Dunga, Assistant Coach: Jorginho

In the afterglow of the triumph Dunga made it clear that he will be basing his future line-ups on the men he trusted in Venezuela, although he also extended a possible forgiving hand towards ‘renegade’ duo Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Kaká. Dunga has dribbled any outright affirmation of who’ll be fielded in Montpellier, including the twosome who refused the call-ups to rest their bones after long club seasons.

"The person who calls up is the Coach but the person who decides who plays is each individual player with his performance in training", explained Dunga before embarking for France at Guarulhos international airport in São Paulo, although he repeated his desire to reward those who exchanged time on a beach for time serving Brazil in Venezuela; "we want to give continuity to the work we started", he added.

A setback to such continuity is that the Coach has had to cut four defenders from his original call-up list due to injuries. Three centre-backs – Juan, Luisão and Lúcio – as well as left-back Gilberto. The centre-backs have been replaced by young Brazil-based players Alex Silva (São Paulo FC – Luisão’s ‘little’ brother), Thiago Silva (Fluminense – no relation to Luisão or Alex Silva) and Miranda (São Paulo FC, on loan from Sochaux, France.).

With Alex (Chelsea) out of the list that immediately means that the only regular face from Venezuela – apart from goalkeeper Doni – in the Brazilian rearguard is Maicon (Internazionale). In midfield Dunga can – if he should choose to – repeat the winning combo of Josué, Mineiro, Elano, and Júlio Baptista; the line-up that was slammed as being ‘un-Brazilian’ and over-defensive but worked a treat against Argentina.

The only ‘but’ is that such a choice would see the star duo of Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Kaká benched simultaneously: something that CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol – Brazilian Football Confederation) chief Ricardo Teixeira isn’t exactly fond of seeing despite his public stance as the Swiss third party that now organises (and pays hard currency for) the friendlies wants to see media-friendly faces on the field.

Up front it looks likely that Brazil will field the familiar partnership of Robinho and Vágner Love, Ronaldo Fenômeno still apparently persona-non-grata despite his rebirth at AC Milan. The leaking of a report saying that he suffers from a thyroid problem that would mean that his pre-World Cup ballooning wasn’t due to gluttony and arrogance didn’t make a difference.

Alves 'no closer to deciding future'

Sevilla full-back Daniel Alves claims his future is still very much up in the air despite courting interest from Premier League giants Chelsea for the last two months.

The Brazilian defender has been rumoured to be on the way to west London all summer, with a price-tag of somewhere in the region of £20 million being touted in the media.

However the latest speculation suggests Sevilla boss Juande Ramos has now upped the ante by asking for £24.5 million for Alves, after turning down a bid from Jose Mourinho's side that fell £3 million short.

And Alves himself admitted that he was still unsure where he would be playing this season, with the transfer window set to close in just over one week's time.

"I am still not any closer to confirming my future," he said."It's a very complicated situation and I am worried. The only thing I want is for the situation to be resolved immediately."But while I am with Sevilla I will act professionally. However, I am hopeful for some closure on this subject."

Some sources have suggested Alves may move to Real Madrid if the Chelsea deal falls through, and the player himself has given credence to the speculation.

"Any player denying wanting to play for Real would be a liar," he continued."I am no different but it's not a decision that I have to take."Any player would be enthusiastic about joining Madrid but I just hope the matter is resolved soon."

Everton rival Portsmouth for Vagner Love

Portsmouth face competition for CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love.

Pompey are attempting to setup a deal for the Brazil international, who faced England at Wembley earlier this summer.

However, Everton are also eyeing Love and will move for the forward should plans for Middlesbrough's Yakubu Aiyegbeni fall through.

Two players fail doping tests in Brazilian league

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Two players failed doping tests in the Brazilian league last month, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation announced.

Internacional defender Marcao tested positive for carboxy-finasteride after the team's 2-0 loss to Juventude on July 24, while left back Ricardo Lopes with second-division club Paulista tested positive for isometheptene after the team's 2-0 defeat to Marilia on July 6.

The CBF will hear from the players before giving out any suspensions.

In June, Botafogo striker Dodo was suspended after failing a doping test in the Brazilian league, but a local sports tribunal allowed him to return to action after ruling he wasn't guilty. FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency are investigating the case.

Renato Scores Twice As Sevilla Thump Real Madrid 5-3 In Spanish Super Cup

Real Madrid 3-5 Sevilla

Sevilla have stunned Real Madrid 5-3 in a rip-roaring encounter at the Bernabeu to lift the Spanish Super Cup 6-3 on aggregate.

It was a game Real Madrid needed to win by two clear goals. Unfortunately, the result turned out to be the opposite as Sevilla were always one step ahead, leaving their opponents playing catch-up.

Renato got himself a brace, and the irrepressible Frederic Kanoute a hat-trick, while Madrid's 30 million man Pepe was sent off in the 90th minute after a miserable evening.

Royston Drenthe, Fabio Cannavaro and Sergio Ramos got themselves on the score-sheet, but it never really looked close to enough as Bernd Schuster heads into the La Liga opener against Atletico Madrid on a real low.

Santos Closing In On Kléberson

Holding midfielder Kléberson is close to making a return to his native Brazil after a stormy five years abroad…

The player was a first eleven member of the Seleção Brasileira that won Brazil’s fifth and most recent World Cup in Japan 2002. That earned the midfielder a transfer from Atlético Mineiro to Manchester United but he flopped under Fergie.

Kléberson ended up moving to Turkish greats Besiktas (pictured) mbut his second chance in Europe turned sour after an initial honeymoon and the player has taken the club to FIFA for back payments that he claims total $2.3 million.

This should allow him to sever his ties and sign on as a free agent for the club where Pelé shone. Expecting the deal to be sealed at any moment the player has been getting back to match fitness at the CT Rei Pelé (King Pelé Training Centre) in Santos.

Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo (ex-Real Madrid and Brazil) is keen to count on the player. “He showed real class and a refined touch when he played for Brazil and would be a quality reinforcement for the Santos squad”, explained the tactician.

“He left Brazil quite young (22 years old) and wasn’t able to grow or apply his best side in Europe but I’m confident that he still has a lot to offer”, added Luxemburgo who’s been lobbying for a holding midfielder as Chilean star Maldonado looks likely to be sold on.

Injury woes for Brazil

Defenders Lucio and Gilberto will miss Brazil's friendly against Algeria next Wednesday because of injuries.

Coach Dunga summoned Sao Paulo's Miranda to replace Lucio, but Gilberto's substitute was not immediately announced by the Brazilian Soccer Confederation on Sunday.

Lucio was dropped after a left knee injury sustained in Bayern Munich's 4-0 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday, while left back Gilberto had a muscle injury in a match with Hertha Berlin.

They were the third and fourth defenders to be dropped from the friendly because of injuries, after AS Roma's Juan and Benfica's Luisao.

Brazil's match in Montpellier, France, will be the team's first since winning the Copa America last month. Stars Ronaldinho and Kaka will return to the team after skipping that tournament in Venezuela.

Chelsea's Alex: I didn't know Arsenal rivalry so intense

Alex admits he's still trying to settle at Chelsea - and is a fan of Arsenal!

The former PSV Eindhoven defender told the Sunday Express: "I didn't realise the big rivalry between clubs in London until I got here.

"In Brazil you always have two teams who are big rivals but in London it is different.

"That goal against Arsenal was important to us at PSV because it helped us get through but I didn't know it made me a hero at Chelsea until I got here."

He added: "I spoke to Gilberto Silva in London and then at the Copa America about life in London and the Premier League - and the weather.

"The first question I asked him was how difficult it is to drive on the wrong side of the road. He said I would get a bit confused at the beginning but that I would get used to England quickly.

"I tried to find a church but I think I got the wrong place because there are so many roads with the same name in London. But I will keep trying to find the best church for me because that is also very important for me."

Afonso Alves "open" to Middlesbrough offer

Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves is keen on a move to Middlesbrough.

The 26-year-old Brazilian was top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie last season with 34 goals and says he could move to Boro after they bid a reported £6.1million for his services.

"They are seriously interested in me," Alves told De Telegraaf. "Middlesbrough have shown this, too, with their offer.

"For such a big club and for the Premier League, I am always open and the first talks are really hopeful. That will not be the problem."

Mancini Drops Adriano From Super Cup Squad

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has dropped Adriano from the squad that will take on Roma in the Italian Super Cup tomorrow.

Inter Milan's Brazilian striker Adriano will have to watch tomorrow's Italian Super Cup clash with Roma from the stands, having been left out for "tactical" reasons.

"What we said remains between us," Mancini told the press on the eve of the game.

"I am always sorry to leave out a player, whether it is Adriano or Mario Balotelli. It is very difficult and I have the utmost respect for these choices.

"For example, we have six forwards and eight defenders. I hope things always go well and we don’t have too many injuries so I can pick who is in best form.

"Inevitably, this will lead to disappointment for some every Sunday."

"My choice with regards to Adriano was purely tactical, he continued. "I spoke to him and I do not need to explain to anyone else what it is we said."

Adriano is considered to be behind David Suazo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hernan Crespo and Julio Cruz in the pecking order, and was linked with a move away before Inter decided to hold on to him.

With another two weeks of the transfer season remaining, the rumours mills will start spinning his name out again, that is for sure. Particularly given the fact that the Brazilian has never taken being sidelined nicely!