BRAZIL: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Ronaldinho wants to compete in Olympics despite team refusal

Record ID: 184358

  • Title: BRAZIL: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - Ronaldinho wants to compete in Olympics despite team refusal
  • Date: 9th July 2008
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FILE) (REUTERS) RONALDINHO BEING SURROUNDED BY MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil, Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA6YPD8QIMJUHU5SO0KXMVDRXC4
  • Story Text: Barcelona on Tuesday (July 08) refused to allow forward Ronaldinho to take his place in the Brazil squad for next month's Olympic Games.
    The out-of-form 28 year-old, who has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Spanish club, was named in Brazil coach Dunga's squad for Beijing on Monday as one of the overage players.

    "Ronaldinho has to report for training next Monday for the first work session of the 2008-9 season," the Primera Liga club said in a statement on their Web site (www.fcbarcelona.com).
    The Olympics do not feature in the FIFA calendar and there are no special rulings on the issue, so the club is not obliged to release its players.
    In recent weeks, sports director Txiki Begiristain has consistently stated that Barcelona's objective is to have the maximum number of players available for the Champions League qualifier.
    The Olympic football tournament runs from Aug 6-24 and Barca, who finished third in the league last season, have a Champions League third qualifying round tie on Aug 12 and 27.
    Meanwhile, Ronaldinho told reporters in Brazil that he was leaving the negotiations between his agent and brother, Roberto Assis, and Barcelona.

    "About this issue with Barcelona - I left with my brother (Ronaldinho's agent) to decide the issue and I am focused only on my training and I am thinking of this only," he said.
    Assis said he was optimistic about the final results.

    "I believe that we will have good news. Day by day we are going to be looking for the best solution for everyone," he said.
    Ronaldinho, who shone for Barcelona when they won back-to back league titles and the European Cup in 2006, suffered a string of injury and fitness problems last season, and only started 13 of 38 league matches.
    But he couldn't contain his desire to return to the Brazil team.

    "What I can say is that I'm crazy to return to the team. I am crazy to help Brazil be good and crazy to give some happiness to the Brazilian people."
    AC Milan and Manchester City have expressed interest in Ronaldinho, but a deal has yet to be reached that satisfies all parties.
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