Brazil’s Robinho Is Out Because of Thigh Injury

Robinho will not play for Brazil against Ghana today in the second round of the World Cup because of a right thigh injury.

The striker, who had medical tests in Cologne, Germany, after being injured in Saturday’s training, is not seriously hurt, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said Monday in Bergisch Gladbach. “It was a small problem. I’ll continue treatment and, God willing, I will be available for next Saturday’s match if Brazil gets past Ghana,” Robinho said.

Brazil doctor Jose Luiz Runco said there was a “great possibility” Robinho would be available to play in the quarterfinals.

Many in Brazil have been calling for Robinho to start in all matches. Robinho, playing in his first World Cup, was a starter when Brazil won last year’s Confederations Cup, earning praise from Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

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Germany Coach Juergen Klinsmann, who has a home in Huntington Beach, is showing no interest in taking over control of the United States national team.

“That doesn’t interest me at all,” said Klinsmann, reacting to speculation in the German media that he was been lined up to replace Bruce Arena after the U.S. team’s first-round exit at the World Cup. “At the moment, I’m only interested in my job and that has to continue to the final.”

Klinsmann’s two-year contract ends after the World Cup and he has been vague about his future. Germany plays Argentina in a quarterfinal game Friday. Klinsmann still spends most of his time in California with his American wife and their two children.