Football: No Kaka, Robinho? No World Cup, says Pele of Brazil's hopes of winning

Pele says Neymar (second from right) has no World Cup experience, so
 it is not realistic to pin hopes of Brazil being crowned champions on him.

RIO DE JANEIRO - Even before a football has been kicked in anticipation, Brazil's hopes of winning next month's World Cup at home have been written off - by its favourite footballing son, no less.

Pele, the Fifa Player of the Century, said Brazil national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had made a mistake by overlooking experienced players in choosing his squad.

Veterans Kaka and Robinho, stars of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, held hopes of playing in the tournament but were not called up, along with former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho, a member of Brazil's triumphant 2002 team.

Pele believes Kaka and Robinho would have added much-needed experience to the hosts as they seek a sixth World Cup win.

Brazil squad

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: Dante (Bayern Munich), David Luiz (Chelsea), Henrique (Napoli), Thiago Silva (PSG), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (PSG)

Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Oscar (Chelsea), Paulinho (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea)

Strikers: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Zenit Saint-Petersburg), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Neymar (Barcelona)

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