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Ronaldinho to quit Barcelona: Report
Ronaldinho will reportedly break his contract with FC Barcelona if need be to go to the Beijing Olympics.
- Associated Press
- Updated: July 16, 2008 05:06 PM IST
Read Time:2 min
Sao Paulo (Brazil):
Newspaper O Globo reported on Saturday that the two-time FIFA player of the year will next week tell the Spanish club of his plans to help Brazil win its first Olympic gold medal.
"On Tuesday, Ronaldinho will announce that nothing will keep him away from the Beijing Olympics," the newspaper said. "And if Barcelona insists on not allowing him to play, he will break his contract with the Spanish club.
"The first demonstration of his determination will take place on Monday when he will not report to (Barcelona coach) Josep Guardiola for training."
The Associated Press was unable to contact Ronaldinho's agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, for comment.
The Brazilian Soccer Confederation said on its Web site that Ronaldinho is in the southern city of Porto Alegre where he is "training intensely to play for Brazil in the Beijing Olympics."
The confederation said Ronaldinho will hold a news conference on Tuesday in Porto Alegre.
Earlier this week, Barcelona said Ronaldinho "will have to report for training on Monday, the first session of the 2008-09 season."
"The Olympics do not form part of the official FIFA calendar, and no official decision has ever been made in that respect, so the club is under no obligation to allow its player to travel," the club said in a statement.
The Brazilian star, who last played on March 9, is under contract with Barcelona but has been linked with transfers to Manchester City and AC Milan.
Ronaldinho will reportedly break his contract with FC Barcelona if need be to go to the Beijing Olympics.Newspaper O Globo reported on Saturday that the two-time FIFA player of the year will next week tell the Spanish club of his plans to help Brazil win its first Olympic gold medal.
"On Tuesday, Ronaldinho will announce that nothing will keep him away from the Beijing Olympics," the newspaper said. "And if Barcelona insists on not allowing him to play, he will break his contract with the Spanish club.
"The first demonstration of his determination will take place on Monday when he will not report to (Barcelona coach) Josep Guardiola for training."
The Associated Press was unable to contact Ronaldinho's agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, for comment.
The Brazilian Soccer Confederation said on its Web site that Ronaldinho is in the southern city of Porto Alegre where he is "training intensely to play for Brazil in the Beijing Olympics."
The confederation said Ronaldinho will hold a news conference on Tuesday in Porto Alegre.
Earlier this week, Barcelona said Ronaldinho "will have to report for training on Monday, the first session of the 2008-09 season."
"The Olympics do not form part of the official FIFA calendar, and no official decision has ever been made in that respect, so the club is under no obligation to allow its player to travel," the club said in a statement.
The Brazilian star, who last played on March 9, is under contract with Barcelona but has been linked with transfers to Manchester City and AC Milan.
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