World NewsBaptista Defends Brazilian Mates |
Brazil forward Julio Baptista has defended the actions of Kaka and Ronaldinho after the star duo requested that they not be included in Dunga's squad for the forthcoming Copa America.
Barcelona's Ronaldinho and Kaka, of AC Milan, asked to be rested for the tournament in the wake of demanding domestic campaigns in Europe.Their decision has prompted an angry response from some quarters, but Real Madrid star Baptista has sympathy for the workload they each face.
He said: "People don't understand these things. We play a lot of games during the year and the people don't have that information.
"Generally, the player finishes his season with the club and quickly goes to the national squad. So he doesn't have time to rest and finishes exhausted."
Baptista also revealed his delight at getting the nod for the national team after Ze Roberto quit international football last week.
He added: "Everybody wants to go to the World Cup, but then [in 2006] the coach didn't summon me.
"But now I have a great chance to show my potential in the Copa America."
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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