select a team ---------- Europe: Belgium Croatia Denmark England France Germany Ireland Italy Poland Portugal Russia Slovenia Spain Sweden Turkey ---------- South America: Argentina Brazil Ecuador Paraguay Uruguay ---------- Africa: Cameroon Nigeria Senegal South Africa Tunisia ---------- Asia: China Japan Saudi Arabia South Korea ---------- CONCACAF: Costa Rica Mexico United States     Main page    Schedule    Stadiums

Romario hits out at Brazil coach

Romario fans lobby Scolari after the coach overlooked their hero

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Romario has said he cannot believe he is not going to the World Cup and has hit out at coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The 36-year-old striker was left out of the 23-man squad on Monday despite massive public support.

Scolari, nicknamed "Big Phil", was blasted by the press with one newspaper labelling him "public enemy number one." But the coach stuck by his decision saying Romario was not picked because he missed the Copa America in Colombia last year.

MORE STORIES • Will Rio rock to the dawn chorus?    EXTRA INFORMATION More news in Portuguese from CNN.com.br     QUICKVOTE Will Brazil miss Romario? Yes No View Results

After staying silent all week, Romario spoke out to reporters following a training session at Vasco da Gama, where he has been averaging more than a goal a game this season.

"I can't believe that not going to the Copa America has stopped me from going to the World Cup. Other players didn't go to the Copa and were picked again.

"It would be better if I were there, but I'm going to get on with my life. My conscience is clear, I'm going to get on with my business here and I hope he (Scolari) does the same there.

"As he says, I am no use technically or tactically in his view. He's made his choice. I consider myself good enough to be in the squad but the coach doesn't.

"Now, I'm going to look for strength with my parents, my wife, my children and my friends. The real reason for me not being picked will appear one day."

A man adds his name to a billboard petition on behalf of Romario

Romario asked to be left out of the Copa America squad to have eye surgery -- but then postponed the operation and went to Mexico with Vasco da Gama, a decision which is thought to have upset Scolari.

In 11 months as coach, Scolari has picked Romario just once. That was as captain in July's 1-0 World Cup qualifier defeat to Uruguay.

Romario was the hero of the victorious 1994 World Cup team, scoring five goals in the finals, but was left out four years ago in France.

Brazil are top seeds and favourites in group C with Turkey, China and Costa Rica the opposition.

Squad

Goalkeepers Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo), Marcos (Palmeiras), Dida (Corinthians)

Defenders Cafu (AS Roma), Belletti (Sao Paulo), Junior (Parma), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen), Roque Junior (AC Milan), Anderson Polga (Gremio), Edmilson (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders Gilberto Silva (Atletico Mineiro), Emerson Ferreira (AS Roma), Juninho Paulista (Flamengo), Kaka (Sao Paulo), Kleberson (Atletico Paranaense), Vampeta (Corinthians), Ronaldinho Gaucho (Paris St Germain)

Forwards Ronaldo (Inter Milan), Luizao (Gremio), Edilson (Cruzeiro), Denilson (Real Betis), Rivaldo (Barcelona)