Baldivieso returns

After exclusion from the game against Chile, Julio Cesar Baldivieso returns to be the #10 (central midfielder) for the Bolivian national team. He's a rather controversial figure because he has enormous talent, yet he seems to take that for granted. Known for his excess partying, Baldivieso did not show for training camp before a friendly match late last year held in the United States. Supposedly, he was in Tarija reportedly involved in an altercation with a teenager. Probably the kid was taunting Baldivieso with alcohol involved on both sides, but one should have some self control.



Former coach Nelson Acosta purposely overlooked him and did not bring him into camp for the games against Venezuela, Argentina or Chile. However, with Acosta back home in Chile, new coach Ramiro Blacutt decided to give Baldivieso another shot. Whether or not he'll be in shape is an important issue. Baldivieso recently concluded a season playing in Qatar for his club team Al-Wakra. Salaries are significantly higher in that Middle Eastern country, but the distance hasn't allowed Blacutt to monitor his progress.

Probably best known for his free kick that put Bolivia ahead of eventual World Cup champions Brasil in a 3-1 victory in La Paz in 2001, Baldivieso will be counted on to produce a victory against Paraguay on June 1.