Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

From Vital Football

Edmilson has been ruled out of the 2006 World Cup after picking up a knee injury.

A statement on Brazil’s official website said ‘After a meeting between the coaching staff, the team captain Cafu and Edmilson at the Thermoplan Stadium, Edmilson was told he has been removed from the Brazilian squad that will play in the World Cup on Germany.’

Coincidentally the Champions League winner may be replaced in the team by Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva, with Edmilson’s squad place taken by Mineiro of Sao Paulo.

Edmilson suffered the injury to his right knee in training on Monday, and a scan confirmed that he would play no part in the tournament for the champions.

I don’t like to say that players getting injured is a good thing. Edmilson’s injury is a horrible thing to happen – especially just before the World Cup.

But; Gilberto may play more games as a result of Edmilson’s removal from the squad. If Emerson picks up a knock between now and Brazil’s last world cup game, Gilberto will definitely be drafted in. I personally think that Gilberto should replace Emerson, but Emerson is a highly respected player in the Selecao, and used to be Brazil captain.

Go Gilberto, get your place in the first team back!

Gilberto watches his mates thrash Fluminense U20

Brazil started their world cup preparation with a game against Brazilian club side Fluminense Under 20s. Brazil nearly scored 20 in the game, winning 13-1. Gilberto did not figure in the game at all.

Full story

Gilberto Silva started the match against Fluminense on the bench and it is a role he is likely to adopt for Brazil’s first game against Croatia on June 13.

The Arsenal midfielder is simply happy to be a part of the squad at his first World Cup, however.

He said: “This is a dream I’ve been having since I was a child.

“It’s more than any other competition I have played in.

“I just want to help Brazil become six-time world champions.”

Gilberto is obviously the most important player in Brazil’s team at the moment. No other player can warm a bench like he. Definitely not. No way.

Gilberto’s words:

You spend several days going through practically the same routine of hotel, practice and eating and if you haven’t got your head in the right place, you could go a bit mad.

But it’s something everyone would like to be doing. The guys who aren’t here would like to be doing it and anyone who has played at the World Cup knows the importance of all this sacrifice.

It’s understandable that I’m not in the team because I had a long time out with injury. If it was another national team my comeback would maybe be different.

With Brazil’s it’s different, first you have to get back into the group then fight for your place in the team.

Carlos Alberto Parreira looks set to start Emerson ahead of Gilberto – it will probably take another unlucky injury to Emerson for Bert to get any play.

Good luck, Bert! Impress that skilly bunch in training.

You can now vote for Gilberto as Arsenal’s player of the season!

If you think Gilberto has been Arsenal’s best player this season, then email gunners@granadamedia.com and put “PLAYER OF THE SEASON – GILBERTO” in the subject line.

Gilberto arrived in the Swiss town of Weggis yesterday. Swiss locals swarmed to meet the Brazil players as they arrived at the hotel in batches. Gilberto arrived at the hotel by car.

“I can’t believe they are right here,” said 22-year-old Hodel Ramona, a Weggis resident trying to get a glimpse of the players. “It’s so nice to have the players and this many people here in our town.”

About 50 fans and nearly 200 journalists were also watching the World Cup champions arrive, while a group of local children yelled “Brazil, Brazil” as the bus carrying the team pulled up to the hotel.

Go Gilberto!

From Tribal Football:

AC Milan coach Ancelotti admits interest in Arsenal’s Gilberto
tribalfootball.com – May 23, 2006

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has declared his interest in Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva.

Gilberto and fellow Brazilian Emerson, of Juventus, are both in Ancelotti’s sights as he seeks a ball-winner to play alongside midfield schemer Andrea Pirlo next season.

“To change something in central midfield could be a good idea in order to give more freedom to Pirlo,” said Carletto.

“To place a powerful player in front of the defence would provide greater freedom to Andrea. This could be a task for a player like Emerson or Gilberto Silva.”

I think many people are interested in Gilberto, and with good reason.

Sadly for Milan, Gilberto is only interested in Arsenal, and has previously stated that he wishes to see out his contract with Arsenal then move back to Brazil.

I don’t really think there is anything to this story, anyway. It was just a passing comment by the Milan coach, and Tribal Football have blown it up slightly.

From Tribal Football:

AC Milan coach Ancelotti admits interest in Arsenal’s Gilberto
tribalfootball.com – May 23, 2006

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has declared his interest in Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva.

Gilberto and fellow Brazilian Emerson, of Juventus, are both in Ancelotti’s sights as he seeks a ball-winner to play alongside midfield schemer Andrea Pirlo next season.

“To change something in central midfield could be a good idea in order to give more freedom to Pirlo,” said Carletto.

“To place a powerful player in front of the defence would provide greater freedom to Andrea. This could be a task for a player like Emerson or Gilberto Silva.”

I think many people are interested in Gilberto, and with good reason.

Sadly for Milan, Gilberto is only interested in Arsenal, and has previously stated that he wishes to see out his contract with Arsenal then move back to Brazil.

I don’t really think there is anything to this story, anyway. It was just a passing comment by the Milan coach, and Tribal Football have blown it up slightly.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2006/05/21/1591133-ap.html

The Brazil team leaves for Switzerland for World Cup preparation

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) – Brazil’s national soccer team prepared to leave for Switzerland on Sunday to begin its quest for a record sixth World Cup title.

Defending champions Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and 11 other players were to leave late Sunday from Rio’s Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, arriving Monday in Zurich, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, co-ordinator Mario Zagallo and the team’s medical and training staff will travel with the team.

Eight team members that play for European clubs will report to the squad directly in Switzerland, the CBF said. They include Cafu, Dida, Edmilson, Fred, Gilberto Silva, Lucio, Kaka and Ze Roberto.

Juninho, who plays for Lyon in France, will fly to Switzerland from his home state of Pernambuco, in northeastern Brazil.

The team will train until June 4 in Weggis, a serene resort town of 3,000 people by Lake Lucerne, in the shadow of the Swiss Alps.

The World Cup starts on June 9 in Germany, when Brazil will seek an unprecedented sixth title. Brazil won the title in 1958, ’62, ’70, ’94 and 2002.

It’s a busy time of year for Gilberto – he is one of the most worked footballers in the game at the moment. Let us pray he can play all his games through the summer without getting injured.

Oh, and good luck to Gilberto for the world cup.

Gilberto battled tirelessly in the Champions League Final last night. Arsenal lost 2-1 against Barcelona – and were down to 10 men for most of the game.

GILBERTO SILVA: Neat and tidy as always, the Brazilian worked tirelessly in front of his back four to deny Ronaldinho and Co space to work.

Unlucky Bert – your performance was great; good luck in the World Cup – see you again soon!

Gilberto gets nod for Brazil

Source

Confirming what we all expected, here is the full Brazil World Cup Squad:

Dida, Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo); Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Cicinho (both Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Cris (Lyon), Luisao (Benfica); Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon), Kaka, Ronaldinho, Edmilson (both Barcelona), Ricardinho (Corinthians); Ronaldo, Robinho (both Real Madrid), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Lyon).