SWEDEN: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Barcelona's Ronaldinho is facing his critics while preparing for important matches against Chelsea and Real Madrid

Record ID: 184120

  • Title: SWEDEN: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Barcelona's Ronaldinho is facing his critics while preparing for important matches against Chelsea and Real Madrid
  • Date: 14th October 2006
  • Summary: STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (OCTOBER 9, 2006) (REUTERS) RONALDINHO JOKING WITH ROBINHO DURING BRAZIL'S TRAINING SESSION
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sweden
  • Country: Sweden
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3OZC1OWCTP4X2FX64S5Z2Q26B
  • Story Text: Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho is willing to put the recent criticism of his performances behind him as he prepares to face Chelsea in the Champions League and Real Madrid in the Spanish primera ligae in the space of four days.
    Barca play against the English champions on Wednesday (October 19) in London and visit Real Madrid on Sunday (October 22).
    "There is positive criticism and criticism that goes in one ear and out from the other," he told Swedish television on the eve of Brazil's recent 2-1 victory in a friendly agains Ecuador in Stockholm.
    In a rare situation for him, the Brazilian star was left on the bench by new national coach Dunga for half of the Ecuador match. When he came on in the second half, he provided the winning goal for Milan's Kaka.
    Ronaldinho has not scored a goal for his country since the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany and has not reproduced his outstanding last season's form that secured Barcelona the Spanish title and the European Cup but midfielder is taking the comments about him in the best possible way.
    "I have to examine the criticism that are constructive and try always to give my best because that's what counts for me. Those who criticise me in fact want to clap for me. So, the criticism works as an incentive so I can continue to do my job," he said.
    At only 26, Ronaldinho has been voted FIFA World player of the year for the last two seasons and says he is still has a lot to achieve.
    "I have a lot to improve. I am a young player, so my goal is to improve in all areas. I am happy with my current form but I know that I can improve more, so that's my goal, to get better in all aspects to improve my game and make football history."
    One of the greatest memories for the player who won the 2002 World Cup was last season's outstanding performance against arch-rivals Real Madrid. Ronaldinho scored two goals in a 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu and would never forget that moment.
    "Marvellous, it was a match that marked my career. So, I hope this season it is going to be as good as last. But this year it would be more complicated because of the changes that happened in the Real Madrid squad with the new coach (Fabio Capello). They got good reinforcements so it would be more complicated but I hope that it will end up as well for me as it was last season."
    On Sunday (October 22), Ronaldinho will step again at the Bernbabeu for Spain's biggest derby, still remembering the unique tribute he received last season against their greatest rivals.
    "It is a different emotion, is not something you would expect because they are our great rivals. To see the crowd from your biggest rival applauding you is something significant in a player's career. It is even shocking to a certain point. But in the end it was something that made me really happy and gives me extra motivation. I hope with God's help I can repeat everything I did in the last derby and that Real Madrid fans can applaud me again."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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