FEATURE: As a player, Dunga was a passionate, uncompromising leader. Now as Brazil’s coach, he is becoming more and more frustrated that the stars who pull on the yellow shirt today fail to share the same commitment.

Dunga is fighting one disappointment after another — injuries, player withdrawals, wranglings with clubs — as he tries to stir his increasingly unfamiliar band of players towards retaining the Copa America, which starts in just 10 days.

Brazil turned to Dunga after last summer’s lacklustre World Cup in Germany, where many of their main attractions failed to perform and France brushed them aside in the quarter-finals.

Control of the five-times world champions passed from the vast experience of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira — completing an unhappy third spell in charge — to Dunga, a fans’ favourite with no professional coaching experience.

Where vast technical and tactical knowledge had failed to deliver another, Brazil gambled that their Mr Motivator could instead get the best out of the Samba Stars’ finest.

After a promising start in 11 friendlies in charge, Dunga goes into the Copa America facing his first real test: to be crowned South American champions without Kaka (pictured right), Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Adriano, Lucio and, most the most recent defector of all, Ze Roberto.

The coach has tried to stay positive while watching his squad wither over the last few weeks, preferring to concentrate on the players who will be going to the Venezuela tournament, but he has been unable to bite his tongue at the latest withdrawal from his squad.

Just hours after being picked in the 22, Ze Roberto retired from international football, saying he was leaving Santos, the Brazilian club he had joined 12 months previously, to return to action in Europe.

The 32-year-old midfielder (below) blamed his homeland’s insecurity, saying he feared his family would be kidnapped if he stayed. It is thought the 32-year-old has lined up a return to Bayern Munich, to replace Owen Hargreaves, with the German club putting pressure on him to quit Brazil.

But Ze Roberto’s claims carry little weight with Dunga.

“The Sao Paolo press insisted I pick Ze Roberto,” said the coach. “Now he comes with kidnapping stories. Has kidnapping just started in Brazil? Was there none when he returned to Brazil after the World Cup?”

At least Dunga has been able to call up a recongnisable player — Julio Baptista — with good calibre to replace him. Much of the rest of his squad have few caps. Striker Afonso Alves, playing in Holland after failing to make the grade in Brazil, is barely even known in his homeland

While the Ze Roberto disappointment was belated, it followed the withdrawals of Brazil’s two biggest stars.

AC Milan maestro Kaka and Barcelona star Ronaldinho both asked to rest this summer rather than pitch up in Venezuela. Kaka’s absence gives Manchester United new boy Anderson a chance to shine, while Afonso Alves profits from Ronaldinho’s decision.

The lack of recognised firepower puts more pressure on Robinho. But just as Dunga begins training for the Copa America, the most notable absence will be the Real Madrid striker.

Under pressure from Real Madrid, Brazil have allowed the 22-year-old join to play in his club’s crucial final league game on Sunday, forcing Robinho to do some continent hopping so close to the start of a major international tournament.

Full back Dani Alves (right) is also likely to be allowed to turn out for Sevilla in the Spanish Cup final on June 23, just four days before Brazil’s tricky Copa America opener against Mexico.

Any other team would be crushed by such upheaval, but Dunga remains positive that his team can emerge from a group of death, which also includes Chile and last summer’s World Cup entertainers Ecuador.

“From now, we have to only speak of the players who are here,” said the coach. “We have Gilberto Silva, Gilberto, Juan — players who disputed the last World Cup, athletes of high level and experience, who can be our leaders.”

Just five players from Germany 2006 will travel to Venezuela and from this depleted pool of experienced players, Gilberto Silva has been chosen to skipper the side.

The Arsenal midfielder said: “It is good to receive Dunga’s support. To be captain is a natural consequence of my work. I am already captain of my club and I bring this experience here.”

Dunga, who captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994 and to the runners-up place four years later, hopes Gilberto Silva will prove as inspirational a leader this summer.

A meeting of CONMEBOL, the regional federation, agreed to call on FIFA to suspend the ban, which would affect several countries and clubs in the Americas.

The world football authority initially banned games from being played above 2,500 metres. Although, CONMEBOL officials say this has been risen to 3,000 metres, such a ban would still exclude games being played in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, and the Peruvian city of Cusco.

FIFA argues playing at such heights is dangerous for players’ health, but others have argued it is no more of a concern than playing in very hot or very cold climates.

A protest against the ban was backed among politicians in the region, including Bolivia president Evo Morales and his Peruvian counterpart Alan Garcia.

At one stage, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador were all thought to be considering boycotting the Copa America over the issue. But CONMEBOL’s united stance is now likely to see off that threat.

The 23-year-old (pictured above) can play for his club against Mallorca, when Real can win La Liga, as long as he reports for training in Brazil a day later.

Robinho’s club and country have conducted a very public tug of war for his services.

There were warnings from the Brazil camp that Madrid could be docked three points if he played without their permission. But the Spanish Press later reported that FIFA had ruled that Robinho should play for his club.

However, Real Madrid sent a fax to the Brazil Football Confederation on Friday asking for his release — and admitting that the national team had the final say.

Under FIFA rules, players must be released by the clubs 14 days before a major international tournament. The Copa America starts on June 26.

The CBF have granted the request, saying: “In view of Real Madrid’s recognition that the player legally could not be allowed to play Sunday, and the promise of the Spanish club’s directory that such an event won’t happen again, the CBF released Robinho.”

Sevilla full-back Dani Alves (right), whose team could also still win the league, will not play on Sunday but has been released by Brazil to play in the Spanish Cup final on June 23.

Meanwhile, Julio Baptista has defended Kaka and Ronaldinho for wanting to rest during the Copa America.

According to the Press Assoociation, Baptista, who was called up to replace Ze Roberto in Dunga’s squad, said: “People don’t understand these things. We play a lot of games during the year.

“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.”

The 25-year-old is said to have withdrawn after completing a move from Penarol to Mexican club Monterrey.

Rios was part of the 27-man provisional Copa America squad chosen by Oscar Washington Tabarez (pictured), which must be cut to 22 names at least five days before the start of the tournament in Venenzuela on June 26.

While Pizarro will enjoy the lush surroundings of Chelsea and the Premiership next season, however, his countryman (pictured) has signed for Barnsley.

The South Yorkshire club are expected to struggle to stay in England’s second-tier Championship rather than challenge for honours when the new season begins in August.

But Barnsley will be hoping their new recruit, named in Peru’s provisional Copa America squad, will turn their fortunes around.

The 29-year-old striker, who came closet to a move to Germany’s Hannover 96 in January, has been the top scorer in Peru for the last two seasons.

He joins Barnsley for a “substantial fee” — thought to be about £400,000 — from Cienciano. The deal is subject to Mostto receiving a work permit.

The 33-year-old had not appeared for his country for five years before coach Erwin Sanchez (pictured above) played him for 45 minutes in a friendly against Ireland last month.

But now, according to Moreno’s club DC United, the former Middlesbrough striker (right) has been selected to play in Venezuela when the tournament begins on June 26.

Moreno said: “I am truly honoured to once again have the opportunity to play for Bolivia in a prestigious tournament like the Copa America.

“I’ve worked hard the last couple of years to earn this opportunity to get back on the national team. I am looking forward to playing in this tournament and doing my best to help my team-mates on and off of the field.”

CopaAmerica07.com will publish the full squad as soon as possible.

Reports suggest goalkeeper Sebastian Viera (pictured) has not yet been allowed to join up with the camp by his club, Villarreal, who play their last game of the Spanish season on Sunday.

But Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez seems happy with the way preparations are going.

“Everything is under control and has turned out fine,” he said.

Tabarez has called up 27 players but his squad must be reduced to 22 by June 21.

Uruguay provisional Copa America squad

Goalkeepers:
Fabian Carini (Inter Milan (It)), Juan Castillo (Peñarol), Fernando Muslera (Nacional).

Defenders:
Carlos Diogo (Zaragoza (Sp)), Diego Godín (Nacional), Jorge Fucile (Porto (Por)), Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce (Tur)), Darío Rodriguez (Schalke (Ger)), Andrés Scotti (Argentinos Juniors (Arg)), Carlos Valdez (Treviso (It)), Mauricio Victorino (Veracruz (Mex)).

Midfielders:
Pablo Garcia, Fabian Canobbio (Celta Vigo (Sp)), Diego Perez (Monaco (Fr)), Cristian Rodriguez (Paris St-Germain (Fr)), Egidio Arevalo Ríos (Peñarol), Walter Gargano, Ignacio González (Danubio), Alvaro González, Maximiliano Pereira (Defensor Sporting), Alvaro Recoba (Inter Milan (It)).

Forwards:
Carlos Bueno (Sporting Lisbon (Por)), Diego Forlán (Villarreal (Sp)), Fabian Estoyanoff (Deportivo la Coruna (Sp)), Sebastián Abreu (Tigers (Mex)), Vicente Sanchez (Toluca (Mex)), Gonzalo Vargas (Monaco (Fr)).

•  For all the Copa America squads, as they are announced, click here.

China’s Xinhua news agency — normally a reliable source of information — says that the Brazil Football Confederation told a Brazilian radio station that there is scant hope of the 23-year-old (pictured above) playing in Venezuela.

Brazil are refusing to let Robinho play in Real Madrid’s crucial final Spanish league match on Sunday because it is so close to the start of the Copa America.

But the club could play him anyway — despite the threat of a points deduction — in a match which could see them win the league title.

Robinho’s agent, Vagner Ribero, told UOL Sport: “I’m sure that he will play on Sunday. It is the most important game of the year.”

CBF spokesman Rodrigo Paiva told Radio Bandeirantes: “We are not going to let go over Robinho. We have the right to have the player at this phase of Copa America training.

“Whenever we need Real Madrid to co-operate, help is not forthcoming.”

Robinho’s withdrawal would leave Brazil with few familiar attacking options as they try to defend the Copa America title they won in Peru three years ago.

Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano all asked to miss this summer’s tournament so that they could rest. And coach Dunga (right) chose to overlook Ronaldo until the World Cup qualifiers start later in the year.

The remaining forwards in the squad are Vagner Love of CSKA Moscow, Fred (Lyon), Afonso Alves (Heerenveen) and Julio Baptista (Real Madrid).

The favourites to replace Robinho would be Jo, of CSKA Moscow, Rafael Sobis (Real Betis) or Carlos Eduardo (Gremio).

The Wolfsburg player (pictured) is one of 27 players called up by coach Gerardo Martino for the tournament in Venezuela.

The coach said: “The reason I have called up 27 players is that I want to clear some doubts I have and, obviously, see how some players who have had injuries progress.”

Carlos Humberto Paredes, of Sporting Lisbon, and Borussia Dortmund forward Nelson Haedo Valdez, who both played at the World Cup in Germany last year, have been left out of the squad, which must be cut to 22 players at least five days before the tournament begins on Tuesday, June 22.

Santana qualifies for Paraguayan nationality because his mother was born in the country, but attempts to nationalise Argentinean Sergio Aquino and Uruguayan Hernán Rodrigo López – both of Libertad – appear to be too late for the Copa America.

Paraguay face Group C Argentina, Colombia and U.S.A. in Group C of the competition.

Paraguay provisional Copa America squad

Goalkeepers:
Justo Villar (Newell’s Old Boys (Arg)), Aldo Bobadilla (Boca Juniors (Arg)), Joel Zayas (Bolivar (Bol)).

Defenders:
Dario Veron (Pumas (Mex)), Paulo da Silva (Toluca (Mex)), Julio Caceres (Tigres (Mex)), Denis Caniza (Atlas (Mex)), Julio Manzur (Guarani), Ruben Maldonado (Napoli (It)), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors (Arg)), Alfredo Aguilar (Sportivo Luqueno), Victor Caceres (Libertad).

Midfielders:
Edgar Barreto (Nijmegen (Hol)), Carlos Bonet, Cristian Riveros (both Libertad), Enrique Vera (Liga Deportiva Universitaria (Ecu)), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo (Arg)), Domingo Salcedo, Edgar Gonzalez (both Cerro Porteno), Jose Montiel (Udinese (It)), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg (Ger)), Julio dos Santos (Bayern Munich (Ger)).

Forwards:
Nelson Cuevas, Salvador Cabanas (America (Mex)), Oscar Cardozo (Newell’s Old Boys (Arg)), Dante Lopez (Crotone (It)), Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich (Ger)).

• For a list of the Copa America squads, as they are announced, click here.

The midfield general (pictured above) is part of coach Alfio Basile’s pre-Venezuela training camp and is virtually guaranteed a place in the full squad, which is expected to be announced after the final games in the Spanish league this weekend.

Veron, 32, made his name in Italy with Sampdoria, Parma and Lazio, but struggled to repeat his form at Manchester United and Chelsea, and was blamed by many for Argentina’s first round exit in the 2002 World Cup.

He has impressed back in Argentina with Estudiantes and was called up by Basile to lead a side of Argentina-based players in a friendly against Chile in April, but his comeback was scuppered by injured.

However, the coach has given another chance to a player who hasn’t played for the Albicelestes for more than three-and-a-half years.

After taking part in the first Copa America training session, Veron said: “To make a comeback to our national team is like a piece of unfinished business for me.

“I try to play with my whole heart. This is a huge chance for me and as far as I’m concerned, I’ll give my everything. We are a team aiming to win something big.”

While most Copa America participants have named provisional squads that will be whittled down to 22 names in the week before the tournament, Basile has taken the unusual step of initially calling up just 10 players for his training camp. They are: Veron, Carlos Tevez, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti, Nicolas Burdisso, Esteban Cambiasso, Hernan Crespo (right), Lucho Gonzalez and Javier Pinola.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri is a major injury doubt for the tournament after his club, Getafe, revealed he had torn a muscle in his left leg.

• For a list of the Copa America squads, as they are announced, click here.