Brazil to play Mexico in Foxborough

The Brazilians are coming. The Brazil men's national team will meet Mexico at 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at Gillette Stadium, the Seleção's first-ever appearance in the Boston area. The game is expected to be officially announced today.

The matchup was finalized in recent days and symbolically commemorated as the presidents of Brazil (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva) and Mexico (Felipe Calderón) met in Mexico City yesterday. Justino Compeán, president of the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol, presented Brazil's president with a Mexico national team shirt with the No. 10 and his name inscribed.

"After our team, the Brazil team is the favorite among Mexicans," Calderón said.

Mexico won the most recent matchup, 2-0, in the first round of Copa America in Venezuela. But Brazil rallied to win the tournament, topping Argentina, 3-0, in the final July 15.

Kaká (Milan) and Ronaldinho (Barcelona) declined callups for Copa America but Brazil coach Dunga is expected to announce today that they will be on the roster for a friendly against Algeria in Montpellier, France, Aug. 22. Other candidates for the team include Ronaldo (Milan).

Dunga, who captained Brazil when it won the 1994 World Cup in the US, replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach after the '06 World Cup. Ricardo Teixeira, president of the Confederação de Futebol Brasileira, recently criticized the conduct of the World Cup team, noted that Ronaldo was overweight in Germany, and said he named Dunga as coach to restore discipline and order in the squad.

Mexico tied the US, 2-2, in a World Cup qualifier before 57,407 spectators at Foxboro Stadium April 20, 1997. The Mexican team, which will play host to the US at Estadio Azteca Sept. 9, is promoted in the US by Soccer United Marketing, which is affiliated with Major League Soccer.

Kaka Eyes Ballon d'Or

Milan play-maker Kaka wants to start the season strongly, something he admits will affect his chances of winning the Golden Ball.

Milan plamaker Kaka, having committed his future to the club, is now eyeing plenty of silverware, as much for the club as himself.

Apart from the regular club trophies, he insists that the Club World Cup in December would be special.

"I want the Champions League, Scudetto and Coppa Italia obviously, but I also have a special desire to win the Club World Cup," he told Studio Sport.

"On the possibility of winning the Golden Ball, he said: "We will have to wait and see because it all depends on my performances for the Diavoli this term."

He also spoke about compatriot Pato, who has signed for Milan and will start training soon, even though he can only feature in official games from January 3 onwards.

"I hope that he has the Italian mentality and can become one of the best Brazilians in Europe," said Kaka.

"I don’t know him all that well, but he is a young lad with incredible talent and when he arrives we will see how we can help him."

However, he was quick to shift the focus on the immediate future: "The key right now is getting our injured strikers back as Pippo Inzaghi, Ronaldo and Alberto Gilardino are three vital players."

Their absence was sorely felt in Moscow!

Lulinha Next Big Thing From Brazil?

Inter are now also following a very young Brazilian.

Having the same name as the President of Brazil has earned him the nickname "President of goals", but his fame comes exclusively from his skill and his goals. Marcelo Moraes dos Reis Lula is known in the football world simply as Lulinha, a name that bears resemblance to that of Brazilian president Luis Inacio Lula de Silva.

The difference with Brazil's first citizen is that the young man born on 10 April 1990 is able to do marvellous things with the ball at his feet and, despite being still a minor, he has been attracting attention from all corners of the footballing world, who will observe him closely during the next Under 17 World Cup to be played in Korea from 18 August to 9 September.

Among those people will be an observer from Inter, who has been requested to make a full and detailed report on the player on account of his performances in Korea. Certainly he will not suffer the pressure of being under close scrutiny. He's used to it, as his father Vanderlei has been bringing him to try outs for various clubs since he was 8, when he already had some amazing tricks up his sleeve.

Whoever wants to buy him will be able to sign him only after 10 April 2008, when he will celebrate his 18th birthday. Corinthians don't want to lose him but, with his contract expiring in 2009, if it is not extended they will have to start considering offers which are bound to come in for the player.

The lad who grew up at Santa Maria playing futsal, the Brazilian name for 5-a-side football, has also attracted the interest of Barcelona, who are always on the lookout for "baby" phenomenons. His idols are Zidane and Ronaldinho, even though he describes himself, rather unmodestly, as a mixture between Kaká and Ronaldinho ("I have the speed of the first and the ability of the second").

Since a few months he also has one of the most sought after agents in Brazil, Wagner Ribeiro, who also enabled the transfer of Robinho to Real Madrid. Ribeiro says Lulinha can be bought with an investment of 4 million euros, but the reality is that probably at least 10 million will have to paid for him.

Lulinha's translation to Italian is Luigino. Figo's first name is Luis, Luigi in Italian. Is it only a coincidence or is a possible substitute for the Portuguese already being lined up?

Ambitious Torino move for Kerlon

Ambitious Torino president Urbano Cairo is considering a move for Cruzeiro star Kerlon.

The Brazilian attacking midfielder came to the world's attention with his famous Foquinha move, but has faded from the limelight in the last 12 months.

Torino football chiefs are convinced they can help Kerlon recapture his best form and with a non-EU spot still to be filled, Cairo is seriously considering making an offer for the midfielder.

Daily Video : Adriano Own Goal Against Man Utd

Brazil set for Algeria friendly

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have confirmed Brazil will play a friendly against Algeria later this month.

Dunga's side will play the Africans on August 22 in Montpellier, according to a statement on the CBF official website.

It will be Brazil's 12th friendly under Dunga's guidance, having already claimed seven wins and recorded three draws and one defeat.

Brazil have just won their second Copa America title in a row by beating Argentina in the final match.

Last month in Venezuela, Dunga's team defeated their arch rivals 3-0 to retain the title they won in 2004.

Torino contact Flamengo for Renato Augusto

Torino have contacted Flamengo about the availability of Brazilian starlet Renato Augusto.

The Brazil U20 international is a target for some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea.

Torino sports chief Fabio Lupo has asked Flamengo to name their price for attacking midfielder Renato.

Chelsea to double Daniel Alves wages

Chelsea are ready to launch a mega offer for Sevilla wing-back Daniel Alves.

With Real Madrid in talks over the double signing of Michael Ballack and Arjen Robben, Chelsea will use the cash raised to bid for Brazilian Dani Alves.

The 24-year-old said: "You have to make the most of your opportunities - a footballer's career is very short. I would like that if an offer came in for me."

Chelsea are believed to be prepared to more than double Alves £35,000-a-week Sevilla wages.

Kaka To Be At Milan For Life

In the face of continued Real Madrid advances, AC Milan playmaker Kaka has spoken of his desire to day at the Rossineri “for life”.

In a new twist to arguably the summers biggest transfer speculation, the player in the middle of a Spanish-Italian tug-of-war has indicated he would be willing to sign a new contract that will make him a Rossonero for life, “Will I stay a Rossonero for life? It depends on President Silvio Berlusconi and if he says he wants to keep me forever, then I believe him,” Kaka told Sky Italia television. “Besides, we’ve already had a meeting about this.”

As Madrid continue to stoke the transfer flames by claiming Kaka wants to join them and will be wearing the famed white jersey this year or the next, Milan have quietly countered by drawing up a new contract for their star-player. Ironically it was a Spanish newspaper, ‘Mundo Deportivo’, who revealed that Milan is preparing to table a new contract for Kaka that will see the Brazilian earn £4m a season until 2012.

Kaka further revealed how surprisingly relaxed the Milan players and staff are, as the transfer speculation over his possible transfer continues. As Madrid and Milan arrived at Moscow for the Russian Railways Cup, Kaka and the rest of the Milan squad accidentally boarded the Madrid coach, prompting Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti to joke that Kaka must be very eager for a move to Madrid! The Spanish press have predictably made more of this episode than it warranted, something to which Kaka seemed bemused about, “It wasn’t just me, the entire team got on that bus,” pointed out the player. “Carlo Ancelotti made a joke about me being so eager to be part of the Real group. At this stage, the whole Real Madrid issue has become one big joke.” Amarpreet Dhadwal