World NewsRonaldinho Eyes Gold Medal |
BRAZIL star Ronaldinho believes helping his country win their first Olympic football gold medal in Beijing would be a 'dream come true'.
The two-time world player of the year won the World Cup in 2002 but insists standing on the podium at the Games would be an equally impressive achievement."There is no doubting it is a really important competition. Many of the most talented players in the world have been a part of it and most of them have never won it," said the 28-year-old.
"It will be a like a dream come true. It is a chance for this team to make history for Brazilian soccer."
For all Brazil's glory in World Cups, they have never done better than silver at an Olympic Games - in Los Angeles in 1984 in Seoul in 1988.
Ronaldinho, who has been training with the rest of the squad in Singapore this week, rates the team's chances of ending their Olympic jinx but is not writing off their opponents in China.
"I am very confident and willing to do my best to help the team win the gold medal," he continued.
"In every competition, we have to respect every team in the same way and play every match with the utmost concentration.
"The team has been talking and analysing the coach's plans in each session. We've also analysed the way our opponents play to find the most effective strategy."
The former Barcelona star would not be drawn on the club versus country issue which has denied Brazil of the services of Real Madrid winger Robinho.
"I prefer not to comment on this issue at this moment but it is a privilege to be here and to be part of a competition which is the dream of every player," he said.
However, the Porto Alegre-born playmaker is looking forward to joining up with his new club, AC Milan, once the Olympics are over.
"This is a new and wonderful stage in my life," he said. "I hope to achieve the same success and happiness that I previously had at other clubs."
Brazil's Olympic squad will play a warm-up match against a Singapore select side in the island republic on Monday before travelling to Hanoi for a friendly with Vietnam on Friday.
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Ronaldinho Eyes Gold Medal"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.
Have you got a scoop? Tell us about it and you could be the first to break the news on FourFourTwo.
