With December fast-approaching, The Season is in the air. Christmas? Absolutely not. It's awards season. The Argentine sensation known as Lionel Messi has already nabbed the Onze d'Or, a precursor to the Ballon d'Or (with a heft more patriotism) which has predicted the BdO three times in the last four years. Click to continue reading...

According to ESPN Soccernet, Roma are not exchanging striker Julio Baptista for Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. Baptista's agent Herminio Menendez told romannews.eu,

"There is no truth in these reports claiming he is set for an exchange in January .

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Kaka and Dani Alves welcome you to Day 4 of the Brazilian Bootcamp! And you really need to clap your hands at that photo. What on Earth were those two thinking?! They're putting all of us in the spirit of el clasico next week.

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Kaká battles it out

A second-half goal by Nilmar was the difference in a forgettable match between Brazil and England in Qatar on Saturday.

The Villarreal man struck in the first minute of the second period after heading in a lovely floated ball from ex Manchester City player, Elano.

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Here's the squad for the game on Saturday (ITV, 4:15pm):

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Robert Green & Joe Hart

Defenders: Wayne Bridge, Wes Brown, Gary Cahill, Glen Johnson, Joeleon Lescott, John Terry, Matt Upson & Steven Warnock

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Shaun-Wright Philips & Ashley Young

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe & Wayne Rooney

Missing: Ashley Cole (fractured leg, will apparently miss a few weeks), Carlton Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard (who - despite being supposedly injured - started on the bench at Anfield before being used as a sub v Birmingham this evening), Emile Heskey, David James and Aaron Lennon.

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See, I told you I'm a bit good

Let's face it. We all remember Julio Baptista once played for Arsenal on a season long loan from Real Madrid. Jose Antonio Reyes went the other way in the same deal. I don't know about you but for the life of me, I can't remember much of his performance during that season bar for one.

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So Dopey officially called up 24 homensfor the selecao's upcoming friendly matches next month. Ooooh yes, we mean that exciting one against England in Qatar on the 14th and the other one against Oman in Muscat.

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Dunga announced today the players who will play the last 2 matches of the year (against England and Oman). And he had a few surprises. Given that he decided not to call players from Brazilian clubs (and therefore was unable to call Adriano and Diego Tardelli), he called forward Hulk. But he wasn't the only surprise.

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Hulk, Michel Bastos, Fábio Aurélio, Carlos Eduardo

Dunga has called up 24 players to face England on November 14th in Doha, Qatar, and Oman three days later in Muscat.

The squad includes Liverpool's Lucas and Fábio Aurélio plus Manchester City's Robinho. Porto frontman, Givanildo Vieira de Souza (Hulk), gets his first call-up.

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Things slowed just a little yesterday:

• Liverpool and Emily Heskey.
  
• Alex commits to Chelsea.
  
• No January move for Patrick Vieira.
  
• Shevchenko turned down United and Barca.
  
• Spanish team Cadiz after Michael Bradley.
  
• Robinho offers to be turned down?

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Still high-tide in rumors:

• Milan VP says Beckham return "very probable."
  
• Amr Zaki to join Portsmouth.
  
• D.C. gets 'keeper from Timbers.
  
• Mascherano unhappy at Liverpool.
  
• United eyeing three Inter dudes.
  
• Toni not leaving, says Munich.

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Nilmar and his hat-trick:

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With Brazil qualified to the World Cup, the match against Chile was going to be important for 2 reasons: 1)add another victory to the incredible sequence of 18 undefeated matches; 2) test new players to join the group of 23 going to South Africa.

For that, Brazil came with the following formation: Júlio César; Maicon, Luisão, Miranda, André Santos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Daniel Alves, Júlio Baptista; Nilmar, Adriano.

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Adriano shows off his skills to ex boxer Popó

Tonight, Brazil take on Chile in the estádio de Pituaçu in Salvador in the 16th round of the World Cup qualifiers.

This could be the time for Dunga to give some of his squad members a run out as Brazil have already qualified for South Africa and the coach is without a number of first teamers.

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So it's Day 2 of the Soldados Bootcamp and they're already bullying Robinho! Anyway, the manos did field work yesterday while Daniel Alves, Luisão, Ramires and Elano were immediately sent to the gym upon arrival. Muito grave, indeed!

For training, Dopey divided the squad into two teams- Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lúcio, Miranda, André Santos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Julio Baptista, Kaká; Robinho and Luís Fabiano formed one side while Victor, Cristian, Gérson, Juan and Filipe; Sandro, Lucas, João Pedro and Wellington; Nilmar and Adriano made up the other.

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Photos via R.Ribeiro

Ah, an exciting week of international futbol is finally upon us as our hombres prepare to face The Dona's Argentina on Saturday! Yesterday, the Brazilian Bombshells eagerly assembled at the Tom Jobin International Airport (in Rio) before proceeding to Granja Comary.

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Roma's Julio Baptista has been linked to a number of clubs over the course of the summer, most notably Inter from Italy's Serie A, and more recently from the English duo Tottenham and Everton.
Despite the Brazilian affirming that he is not interested in returning back to the Premier League, Liverpool have also expressed interest in the 27-year-old in the past few hours.

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Some new names here:

• Ruud van Nistelrooy and Tottenham?
  
• Roman Pavlyuchenko staying or going?
  
• Everton wants four signings.
  
• Pavel Nedved going nowhere. He retires.
  
• Inter Milan talking to Julio Baptista.
  
• Wesley Sneijder heading to Mourinho country?

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Roma's Brazilian forward Julio Baptista could be set for a move to Italy's Serie A champions Inter Milan.

News has surfaced that the former Real Madrid star is due for discussions with Jose Mourinho's men over a transfer from the Stadio Olimpico, after falling out of favour with Luciano Spaletti.

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A financially viable option.

Rafa Benitez is looking into the possibility of bringing Julio Baptista to cash strapped Liverpool. The Brazilian international is interested in a season long loan deal in this World Cup year, which would be ideal for the under fire Spaniard.

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We start off with a move for a 35 year old that the whole world was talking about:

• Manchester City sign Sylvinho.
  
• Anelka pledges self to Chelsea.
  
• Puyol does the same with Barca.
  
• Manchester United after Modric?
  
• Julio Baptista is not EPL-bound.

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Brazil is close to sealing qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, if they can beat Argentina on the road on the 5th and Chile at home on the 9th then Brazil will be on their way to South Africa.
The big news was the call up of Adriano of Flamengo to the national team. The big forward seems to have regained his scoring touch with Flamengo. Click to continue reading...

Brazil is close to sealing qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, if they can beat Argentina on the road on the 5th and Chile at home on the 9th then Brazil will be on their way to South Africa.

The big news was the call up of Adriano of Flamengo to the national team.

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So Dunga has finalized his tropa that will face Argentina next month... and Adriano aside, we're excited to see that our friend Lucas has also been summoned! Grandeeeeee mano!

The Dinho and Pato were both left out of the squad again (Milan's dismal form has been obviously detrimental to their chances ).

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UPDATE: According to Sky Sports News, Julio Baptista's agent confirmed that his client will not be leaving Roma for West Ham United. Herminio Menendez told Romanews.eu,

"There is a lot of talk about nothing .

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Season preview concludes today ahead of the season getting underway tomorrow. Today we answer the big questions regarding Arsenal. As always, leave questions and thoughts in the comments section.

Question 13: Come January, what Will be the Biggest Story Everyone is Talking About?

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Luís Fabiano scores against Estonia

Brazil made hard work of a testy match against Estonia in Tallinn. In the end, a late first-half goal by Luís Fabiano was all that separated Brazil from a country 112th in the FIFA world rankings.

Despite being a meaningless ‘friendly', the confrontation was littered with bad tackles by both sides.

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While Brazilian clubs struggle to pocket any money, CBF made US$ 2 million to take the Brazilian squad to Estonia, as a "celebration for the 100th anniversary of the first football match in the country". And if That was to be a celebration, it felt more boring than Monday morning work meeting.

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• Greaseano Whiskey, anyone? Yes, it's possible. Apparently, Scottish beverage company Whyte and Mackay are producing a brand of whiskey in the Portuguese star's name. For the last 40 years, the company has done the same for celebrities and household names like Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Marilyn Monroe and even Homer Simpson.

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The bride and groom share a private, secluded kiss after the wedding. Image via TV Canal 13/AG News

Manchester City's Robinho married his Brazilian girlfriend, Vivian Guglielmetti Junits in Sao Paolo last night.

You remember Vivian, don't you? She's another ride-or-die WAG that's been in it for the long haul.

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The bride and groom share a private, secluded kiss after the wedding. Image via TV Canal 13/AG News

Manchester City's Robinho married his Brazilian girlfriend, Vivian Guglielmetti Junits in Sao Paolo last night.

You remember Vivian, don't you? She's another ride-or-die WAG that's been in it for the long haul.

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Robinho marries long time companion Vivian after 11 years and the birth of his child Robson Jr. In attendance was manager Dunga, Brazil team mates Kaka, Julio Baptista, and Elano.

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La Roma ha iniziato il ritiro di Brunico. Tra i molti assenti c'è anche il brasiliano Julio Baptista, attualmente in vacanza dopo la Confederation Cup che lo ha visto quasi sempre spettatore in panchina, chiuso da Robinho e soprattutto Luis Fabiano.
Intervistato dal Corriere dello Sport, il giocatore è pronto ad una stagione di successi, personali e di squadra: "Non ho mai pensato di andare via dalla Roma - ha detto "La Bestia" - Possiamo essere protagonisti e ottenere immediatamente un piazzamento Champions per il prossimo anno. Click to continue reading...

Photos courtesy R.Ribeiro

It is with great sadness that we welcome you to Day Fourteen the last of our Selecao Bootcamp specials! Here's Robinho welcoming you with the "D" face. Determinação, we mean. He's probably listening to "Beat It" on his ipod as the man behind mysteriously looks on.

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Quick futbolitas, assess their outfits! What on Earth is Elano wearing? Those painter pants have to be thrown out. Pato's not doing so well either -Â he dresses like one of those pizza/gamer douchebags in SuperBad. Amigo, your jeans are horrible.

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