Brazil coach Dunga says his decision to omit Éverton Ribeiro and Ricardo Goulart from his latest squad was based on their recent lack of competitive football.
The duo featured in all four of Dunga’s squads for which they were eligible, but Gourlart’s recent move to China and Éverton Ribeiro’s switch to the Middle East sparked speculation their international careers would stall. The former Cruzeiro stars led the club to back-to-back Brazilian titles in 2013 and 2014, but Goulart joined Guangzhou Evergrande in January while Éverton Ribeiro moved to United Arab Emirates to join Al Ahli a month later. Dunga told: “They’re both starting pre-season, and we have not observed them day to day there. It is normal that are not in top condition yet.”
