Club v country battle starts to draw blood

Kaka’s selfish plea to be omitted from the Copa America is a knife in the heart of Brazil – and the tournament.

I’m too tired, he bleats, my mind wouldn’t be on the competition.

How he dares say this to the ultra-patriotic Brazil coach Dunga, who inspirationally captained his country to World Cup victory in 1994, is unbelievable.

Then again, he didn’t; he sent a fax.

The magician of Milan (pictured right), along with Argentina’s Leo Messi, are the game’s current hottest properties.

The Brazilian’s omission from the world’s oldest international football tournament is like the Lord Mayor not turning up to his own show.

‘Tired’ Kaka feels Dunga’s thunder

Dunga has hit back at Kaka’s request to be left out of Brazil’s Copa America squad.

Coach Dunga – the passionate former World Cup-winning captain – is thought to be deeply disappointed by his star player’s request not to be taken to the tournament in Venezuela.