Ronaldinho, Adriano out of Brazil’s initial squad

Brazil will be without some of their top stars at the World Cup, with coach Dunga betting on players that are not too well known, but who achieved successful results with the team.



Ronaldinho, Adriano and Neymar have been left out of Brazil\'s preliminary World Cup squad, along with three-time FIFA world player of the year Ronaldo and veteran left back Roberto Carlos.



Kaka, Robinho, Maicon and Julio Cesar were picked in the squad, but the list also has players such as Elano, Julio Baptista, Ramires, Josue, Nilmar and Gilberto, who are lesser-known, but have been regulars since Dunga took over the team.



One of the biggest surprises was the absence of Adriano, who had been constantly called up by Dunga.



Wolfsburg\'s Grafite, who had been selected for the national team only twice before, was called up to take Adriano\'s place.



Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were expected to be left out, but there was still some hope for Ronaldinho.



Brazil will practice for about a week in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba before heading to South Africa on May 26. The five-time world champions will play against North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.