Adriano has been doing really well since returning to Brazil and getting his head back together. So well, in fact, that people are even using his image on their products. Unfortunately, those products are drugs.

From the Corriere dello Sport:

Now that Adriano is back in Rio de Janeiro and is the top scorer in the Brazilian championship with Flamengo, he's so popular that his picture is even selling packets of drugs.

Dopey Dunga thinks Nilmar's weekend screamer against Corinthians was impressive - but insists that it's still not enough to earn him a call-up to the national team.

"It was a beautiful goal and it was fast, which showed Nilmar's best quality. But 20 days ago, no one spoke about Nilmar (being) in the selection, (everyone) wanted Ronaldo.

By NESTOR F. SEBASTIAN

It doesn't seem too long ago when many were calling on Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima to call it quits after suffering a serious knee injury early last year while playing for A.C.Milan, who let his contract expire and released him. The injury was the third such setback he suffered in his illustrious career.

Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Corinthians beat Fluminense 4-2 on Wednesday, taking his tally to 14 goals in 22 matches since his return to action in March after surgery early last year.
"The three are my kids and I don't have a favourite," Ronaldo said of the hat-trick although his second goal, after a run from the Corinthians half including a one-two with Douglas and a dribble past two defenders, was reminiscent of the Ronaldo of old.

Here's some over zealous refereeing from the Brazilian championship match between Flamengo and Nautico, where Nautico defender Vagner Silva received his second yellow card after being literally caught with his pants down!
After tearing his first pair of shorts mid-way into the second half, Silva quickly made a dash to touchline to change into a new pair, but the fourth official alerted the referee to what was going on and he gave the defender his marching orders for going off without his permission.

The larger and less expensive one.Ronaldo scored three times as Corinthians beat Fluminense 4-2 in a Brazilian Championship game last night.

Not too sure about this one!

The Rumour

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains keen on Cruzeiro striker Kleber.

The 25 year-old revealed last month that Liverpool had made an offer for him.

And Globoesporte says Liverpool are still interested and Kleber could be the next to follow new Villarreal signing Nilmar to leave the Brazilian championship for a big European club.

Carlos Alberto Parreira is the new coach for the South African National Soccer Team. After two weeks of rumours and denials, the South African Football Association (SAFA) made the announcement just after 7pm at OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg.

During this Bafana coach fiasco, it seemed all that the loyal and passionate supporters were agreed upon, is that they were happy that Joel Santana was out of the picture.

Why so serious, Neymar? Well, it must be the fact that Santos only managed a 3-3 draw against Goiás at home in the Brazilian championship yesterday. Pele was present in the stands and they probably placed the microphones near him so he could out talk the commentator.

Reuters:
Brazil striker Nilmar scored twice as Internacional bounced back from their midweek defeat in the Copa Brasil to beat Náutico 2-0 away and go top of the Brazilian championship on Sunday.
Inter, beaten by Corinthians in the Copa Brasil final, are two points ahead of Atlético Mineiro, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Botafogo.

Lest we believe Ellen Cardoso will pay for Adriano's caipirinhas.

He does want to get back to playing soccer and earning a paycheck. Indications are that he will join Flamengo, his former club in August in time for the Brazilian Championship.

• Gremio defeated Cruzeiro 4-1 in the Brazilian Championship with goals from Réver, Tcheco, Jonas and Maxi López. In other news, Manchester United have ended their chase for Douglas Costa after fears about his 'personal life' surfaced. Cara was caught driving without a valid license last week.

Inter move back into the top four after a comfortable 3-0 victory over struggling Sport last night. Giuliano opened the scoring before half time before second half goals from Sandro and the returning Andrés D'Alessandro gave Inter a comfortable victory in Porto Alegre.
From xinhuanet.

I don't follow the Brazilian league at all but this video by Gustavo Pellizzon is too beautiful to keep to myself. Teaming with all the color, action and emotion that breathes life into South American football it's one of the best clips I've seen in a while. I'll let him give you the description though as he can obviously set it up better than I can.

The title is decided in Brazil and Japan, red cards and fighting, Champions League news and trouble in The Europa League all feature in this week's the good, the bad and the ugly section of the podcast. Vocabulary support can be found for the words in bold at the foot of the post.

From goal.com-
Internacional Set Brazilian Record After Securing 100,000 Members
The Colorado became the first club in the country to reach such a figure...
11 Jul 2009 17:14:23
Photo GalleryZoomRenata Fan e Rogerio Amaral - Centenario do InternacionalThe directors of Sport Club Internacional announced that the proud Porto Alegre club have reached 100,000 members, a record for Brazilian clubs.

via Globo

• Sao Paulo are in the top four of the Brazilian championship after beating Goias 3-1 on Sunday. They've won their last five matches and have been unbeaten for the last eight games. Way to go, Tricolor! They started out slow in the early stages of the season and the Libertadores Cup.

STARTERS
Flamengo has won the Brazilian Championship!
dN
There's a new DaMarcus Beasley interivew today from Yanks Abroad. See it in the Americans In Europe section.
dN
Cruz Azul & Monterrey have advanced to the Mexican Primera finals, with the later knocking off current champs Toluca to get there.

Adriano is now a shining star in Flamengo supporter's eyes, when he moved to Brazil he was hated at first, but as goals came, the supporters turned around. And now thanks to Adriano Flamengo has won an epic Brazilian Championship, with the help of his teammates, Adriano dominated in the Brazilian league, dribbling past defences and using his powerful left foot to stun goalkeepers.

6M - Great success!
Thanks to NCNB reader YonStar for sending in this great story: Brazilian thieves made off with nearly $6M dollars during the 39th Brazilian Championship last summer.
The looters rented a house near a cash delivery firm, then dug a 110 yard long tunnel under the building.