Rio de Janeiro: Adriano has just two club matches left in which to convince Brazil coach Dunga that he would be making the right decision in taking the striker to the World Cup.
Adriano missed a penalty at the weekend as Flamengo lost the final of the second phase of the Carioca (Rio) state championship, handing the title to winners Botafogo.
The former Inter Milan striker, top scorer last year when Flamengo won the Brazilian championship, has struggled for form and with off-field issues this year he has made only 12 out of a possible 23 appearances for the club.
Flamengo were expected to play Caracas FC at the Maracana yesterday in a Libertadores Cup match that was to decide if they would reach the knockout phase of South America's premier club competition.
Rib injury
Adriano, who recently recovered from a rib injury, also has Flamengo's opening game of the Brazilian championship against Sao Paulo on May 9 before Dunga's squad gather to prepare for the World Cup.
"I'd never missed a penalty and it had to happen now," Adriano said after Sunday's defeat.
Had Flamengo won on Sunday the Carioca championship would have gone into a two-leg final between the winners of the two phases, guaranteeing Adriano two more matches this month. Botafogo won both phases avoiding the need for a playoff.
Adriano returned home from Inter a year ago to escape off-field problems he had in Italy and almost quit soccer before recovering his best form with Flamengo.
He played in Brazil's only friendly this year, a win over Ireland in London, but did not impress.
On his return from London he missed a Flamengo practice and media reported an argument with his model girlfriend and suggested a drink problem was the cause.
"Adriano is lucky because at the moment there is no other striker with the same characteristics to fight for a place in the national team," said former Brazil World Cup left back Junior, now a media pundit.
"He has a lot of credit with the coaching staff and that's why I think he's guaranteed a place at the Cup."
‘I will win the title'
Ronaldinho, who has been left off Brazil for recent matches, says he's sure he can persuade coach Dunga to include him for the World Cup in South Africa.
Ronaldinho played in the last two World Cups, but has been overlooked by Dunga, who has been emphasising team play above individual skills.
He predicts he will be a member of the team and says Brazil will win its sixth World Cup title.
"I will go to the World Cup and I will win it. Recently I have had problems with the national team, but it hasn't been my fault. I cant imagine a World Cup without Ronaldinho on the field," he said.
— AP
