Kaka will miss Brazil qualifier against Ecuador

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Kaka will not play in Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Sunday because his injured left foot has not recovered in time.

"I spoke with coach Dunga and we agreed that since Kaka is not in his best shape and he still feels some pain, we will leave him in Brazil," team doctor Jose Luiz Runco said on Friday before the team left for Quito.

Kaka's spot on Sunday will be filled by Ronaldinho Gaucho, an AC Milan teammate.

Ronaldinho's presence "is an additional motivation because he hasn't been playing in Milan and he will have the opportunity to show his progress," Dunga said.

Kaka injured his foot while playing for the Italian club this month.

Runco said Kaka will go to the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre for physical therapy and treatment.

Runco was noncommittal when asked whether Kaka would play next Wednesday in Brazil's qualifier against Peru, saying only that he would not allow a situation that threatens an athlete's health.

"When we are using a player for the Brazilian selection, we are using a high-level player borrowed from another institution, which we need to respect, so that the athlete has recovered when he returns to that institution," Runco said.

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