(Statistics up to and including May 25 2006)
GOALKEEPERS
1-Dida (AC Milan, Italy) Born: 7.10.73 Caps: 85 Goals: 0
First-choice goalkeeper whose speciality is saving penalties. Took over from Marcos following the 2002 World Cup. Remains coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's first choice despite an erratic season with AC Milan.
22-Julio Cesar (Inter Milan, Italy) Born 3.9.79 Caps: 11. Goals: 0
Second-choice goalkeeper. Played in the 2004 Copa America winning-team and stood out with an excellent performance in the final against Argentina. Began his career with Flamengo.
12-Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo). Born 22.1.73 Caps: 16 Goals: 0
One-club player who has scored more than 50 goals from free kicks and penalties, though none for Brazil. Led the Sao Paulo team which won the Libertadores Cup and World Club championship in 2005. Has won only two caps under Parreira, leading to speculation that the two do not get on.
DEFENDERS
2-Cafu (AC Milan, Italy) Born 7.6.70 Caps: 144 Goals: 5
Veteran captain and right back who lifted the trophy in 2002. The only man to have played in three World Cup finals -- 1994, when he replaced Jorginho early in the game, and 1998 and 2002 when he was on from the start. He is hoping to make it four appearances in Germany. Underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in February but says he will be fit in time.
13-Cicinho (Real Madrid, Spain) Born 24.6.80 Caps: 10 Goals: 1
Speedy right back who has emerged as Cafu's natural successor and also impresses with his pinpoint crossing, ability to play one-twos and his long-range shooting. Won the South American Libertadores Cup with Sao Paulo in 2005 and played a part in all four goals as Brazil beat Argentina 4-1 in last year's Confederations Cup final.
6-Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid, Spain) Born 10.4.73 Caps: 126 Goals: 10
Powerfully-built left back famous for the astonishing power and swerve he packs into his shots, especially long-range free kicks, though prone to abandoning his defensive duties. This will be his third World Cup and he is apparently considering an offer from Chelsea to move to London after it is over.
16-Gilberto (Hertha Berlin, Germany) Born: 25.4.76 Caps: 8 Goals: 0
Can play as either a leftback or in midfield. Much-travelled, having played at America-Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo, Gremio, Cruzeiro, Inter Milan, Vasco da Gama and Sao Caetano.
15-Cris (Olympique Lyon, France) Born 3.6.77 Caps: 16 Goals: 1.
Central defender who was part of the Copa America winning squad in 2004. Made his debut in 2001 but had the misfortune to score an own goal in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat by Argentina and missed out on the 2002 World Cup. Began his career with Corinthians and Cruzeiro in Brazil and has also played for Bayer Leverkusen.
4-Juan (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) Born: 1.2.79 Caps 37. Goals: 2
Elegant, composed and quiet central defender, who missed out on Japan and South Korea after a nightmare qualifier in Bolivia the year before. Has since regained his place in the squad. Part of the 2004 Copa America-winning team.
3-Lucio (Bayern Munich, Germany) Born 8.5.78 Caps: 49 Goals: 2
Tough, extremely determined central defender who just about manages to keep his aggression under control. A key player in the 2002 team.
14-Luisao (Benfica, Portugal) Born 13.2.81 Caps: 16 Goals: 1
Another player who made his mark during the Copa America, when the regulars were rested, and scored his only international goal in the final against Argentina. Strong in the air and a threat when he joins the attack. Began his career with Cruzeiro, joining Benfica after winning the Brazilian championship in 2003.
MIDFIELDERS
18-Edmilson (Barcelona, Spain) Born 10.7.76 Caps: 33 Goals: 1
Recalled to the side for the November friendly away to the United Arab Emirates after a seven-month absence following a cruciate ligament injury to his right-knee. Formed part of the three-man defence in Luiz Felipe Scolari's 2002 team but can also play in midfield. Would love to add a World Cup winner's medal to the Champions League winner's medal he won with Barcelona in May.
5-Emerson (Juventus, Italy) Born 4.4.76 Caps: 71 Goals 6
Hard-tackling midfielder, sometimes too much so, who has won his way back into the team after being overlooked for most of 2004. Was due to captain the 2002 World Cup team but missed the competition when he dislocated his shoulder in a bizarre training-session incident on the eve of the opening match against Turkey. Made several substitute appearances in the 1998 campaign.
17-Gilberto Silva (Arsenal, England) Born 7.10.76 Caps: 38 Goals: 3
Brought in to replace Emerson in 2002, he proved an excellent stand-in and was ever present as he played in all seven games. Suffered a drop in form after scoring an own goal against Uruguay in 2003 and had a back injury last year but now is back in the squad as a reserve. Was in the Arsenal side beaten in the Champions League final.
19-Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon, France) Born 30.1.75 Caps: 38 Goals: 2
Probably the best player in the world not to be a regular international. Despite his inspirational club form, Juninho is still considered only a reserve by his country, especially since coach Parreira decided to field his so-called Magic Quartet.
8-Kaka (AC Milan, Italy) Born 22.4.82 Caps: 33 Goals 8
Kaka has rapidly developed as Brazil's playmaker in the last two years. He made the often difficult adaptation to Italian football look easy when he joined AC Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003. He has never looked back since coming on as a substitute in Brazil's opening World Cup qualifier away to Colombia in 2003 and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory.
20-Ricardinho (Corinthians) Born 23.5.76 Caps: 18 Goals: 1
Left-footed midfielder and free-kick specialist. Intelligent use of the ball, astute passion and vision made him a key player in the Santos team which won the Brazilian championship in 2004. A reserve for his country, both now and in the previous World Cup. Returned to Corinthians, the club where he made his name, in 2004.
11-Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich, Germany) Born 6.7.74 Caps: 78 Goals: 5
Versatile left-footed player who can play at left-back, left midfield or on the left wing, he was overlooked for the 2002 World Cup by Scolari but has fallen back into favour under Parreira and is now a regular starter. Part of the Copa America winning teams in 1997 and 1999.
FORWARDS
7-Adriano (Inter Milan, Italy) Born 17.2.82 Caps: 33 Goals: 21
Took advantage of Ronaldo's absence at both the 2004 Copa America and last year's Confederations Cup by finishing as top scorer in both. Followed that up with a hat-trick in the World Cup qualifier against Chile in September. Described as a horse by Parreira because of his physical prowess, he is now looked upon as the natural striking partner for Ronaldo in attack. Has suffered a loss of form in Italy this year.
23-Robinho (Real Madrid, Spain) Born 25.1.84 Caps: 17 Goals: 5
The latest player to be dubbed the new Pele, though with more reason than others because of a slight physical resemblance and his amazing trickery. Inspired Santos to two Brazilian championship titles in three seasons, though his messy departure to Real Madrid spoilt his reputation somewhat.
9-Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Spain) Born 22.9.76 Caps: 97 Goals: 61
The Phenomenal One is heading for his fourth World Cup amid speculation over his weight and his form. Did not play in 1994 when he went along for the ride as a 17-year-old, struggled to live up to his reputation in 1998 and finished as topscorer in 2002 as he stormed back after a two-year injury hell. Tends to save his best for Brazil.
10-Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Spain) Born 21.3.80 Caps: 65 Goals: 30
Ever since the 1999 Copa America, when he scored a goal to rival Pele's famous effort in the 1958 World Cup final, it has been clear that Ronaldinho is something special. FIFA's 2005 Player of the Year and a master of the unexpected, the ever-grinning former Gremio and Paris St Germain player epitomises the Brazilian approach with his cheeky skills, verve and apparently carefree attitude. Like Edmilson, won the Champions League with Barcelona in Paris.
21-Fred (Olympique Lyon, France) Born 3.10.83 Caps: 2 Goals: 2
Thirty-seven goals in three competitions for Cruzeiro in the first half of last year was enough to earn him a move to Lyon after less than one year at the club. Scored twice on his debut against the United Arab Emirates in November.
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