BRAZILIAN Football Confederation president Ricardo Teixeira has hit out at Barcelona for their handling of Ronaldinho, and reiterated his desire to have the player at this summer's Olympics.
Teixiera has been angered by comments from Barcelona sports manager Txiki Begiristain saying the playmaker would not be available for Beijing,
Teixeira claims the CBF are investing more in Ronaldinho's rehabilitation from a season of poor form and injury than Barcelona - who are considering offers for the former World Player of the Year.
"They dispensed with Ronaldinho. They didn't take care of their own asset," Teixeira told Veja magazine. "They should thank us because we are working to get him back to his best shape."
Last week, the former Gremio and PSG attacker, who last played for Brazil in November's 2-1 World Cup Qualifier win over Uruguay, told Sport TV that he would be at the Olympics.
"I am certain that I will be in Beijing," he said. "If God wants it, I will return. I am fully recovered from the injury and I want to come back to the national squad as soon as possible. It is very hard to be out."
After that, Teixeira announced that Ronaldinho would be one of the three over 23 year-old players in the Olympic squad.
"He is a player with the tools to have a great Olympic tournament and also to do great in the qualifiers," Teixeira said to jornalnacional.globo.com. "I think that the fans have to support Ronaldinho as he is very important for the squad."
Brazil boss Dunga will name his Olympic squad on July 7.
Teixeira claims the CBF are investing more in Ronaldinho's rehabilitation from a season of poor form and injury than Barcelona - who are considering offers for the former World Player of the Year.
"They dispensed with Ronaldinho. They didn't take care of their own asset," Teixeira told Veja magazine. "They should thank us because we are working to get him back to his best shape."
Last week, the former Gremio and PSG attacker, who last played for Brazil in November's 2-1 World Cup Qualifier win over Uruguay, told Sport TV that he would be at the Olympics.
"I am certain that I will be in Beijing," he said. "If God wants it, I will return. I am fully recovered from the injury and I want to come back to the national squad as soon as possible. It is very hard to be out."
After that, Teixeira announced that Ronaldinho would be one of the three over 23 year-old players in the Olympic squad.
"He is a player with the tools to have a great Olympic tournament and also to do great in the qualifiers," Teixeira said to jornalnacional.globo.com. "I think that the fans have to support Ronaldinho as he is very important for the squad."
Brazil boss Dunga will name his Olympic squad on July 7.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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