Ronaldo was left out by Brazil again on Thursday when coach Dunga named his squad for this month's friendlies against Chile and Ghana in Sweden.

AC Milan's Ronaldo warms up before the start of his Italian Serie A soccer match against Siena at the Artemio Franchi stadium in Siena.[Reuters]

Ronaldo, 30, has made a promising start at AC Milan after his 7.5 million euros move from Real Madrid, but his performances failed to persuade Dunga to call him up for the first time since the World Cup.

Dunga told reporters: "We are watching and observing him and as soon as his performances interest us and he is near to his best, he will be selected."

The game against Chile will be in Gothenburg and the Ghana match is in Stockholm.

Ronaldinho, who has started only one match since Dunga replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira, was included in the squad alongside egulars including Kaka, Robinho, Diego, Elano and Gilberto Silva.

However, there was no place for Inter Milan striker Adriano who has been picked only once by Dunga.

The squad also included uncapped right back Ilsinho and midfielder Josue. Both play for Brazilian champions Sao Paulo.

Brazil have played six matches under Dunga, suffering their first defeat against Portugal last month.

They thrashed Chile 5-0 in their last meeting in a World Cup qualifier in September 2005 and beat Ghana 3-0 in the second round at last year's World Cup.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Helton (Porto), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Ilsinho (Sao Paulo), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Kleber (Santos), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Alex Rodrigo (PSV Eindhoven), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Dudu Cearense (CSKA Moscow), Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk), Josue (Sao Paulo), Diego (Werder Bremen), Kaka (AC Milan)

Forwards: Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Robinho (Real Madrid), Fred (Olympique Lyon), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow).