Menezes guided by Olympic form

5 April 2012 04:54

Brazil coach Mano Menezes plans to use the 2012 London Olympics as a guide for his selection for the 2014 World Cup.

There has been steady criticism of the Brazil national team since Menezes took over in July 2010, and the side suffered an embarrassing exit from last year's Copa America.

And while Menezes admits his plans for the next World Cup, which will be hosted by Brazil, are not very advanced, he said the Olympics later this year would give him a good chance to see the next generation of players in action.

"The last team that won the World Cup was in 2002. We've had teams that were ready and did not win anything - like in 1982," Menezes said.

"I don't think we are late in our preparations, but things are not defined yet, which is very natural.

"I always said that the ultimate test would be the Olympics in London because I think that many who will be in London will be with the national team in 2014."

Each nation is allowed to select three over-age players to supplement their Under-23 squads for the Olympics.

But one player who will not be going to London is Real Madrid's Kaka.

"The Olympics are during the European pre-season. I think it is a lot more important for our project to take younger players to the Olympics who need to show what they can do to get in the squad, it's more important to take them than Kaka who is a player that I believe can be there in the future," Menezes said.

"I think the next season is key so he can make us believe in him, to have faith in himself, and just let him do what he needs to do."

Surprisingly Menezes named 16 over-age players in his Olympic squad, of which only three can be used in London.

A controversial inclusion was Flamengo's Ronaldinho.

The two times FIFA player of the year has been in poor form recently and his off-pitch activities have attracted plenty of attention, but the 32 year old remains part of the coach's plans.

''Ronaldinho is a player who's performance must be considered in the national team, because of his history within the squad," he said.

"So if he is not doing great at his club that is not the most important thing. What I think is more important is his attitude in these bad moments, to try and change things - his hand work he shows us and his willingness to be part of the project."