Thu Jul 10 14:37:16 2008

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Ronaldinho set to defy Barca and play in Olympics

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Barcelona, Spain (Sports Network) - Ronaldinho has revealed he is ready to defy Barcelona and take up his place in Brazil's squad for next month's Olympic Games.

The unsettled forward has been named as one of three over-age players in coach Dunga's 18-man squad and fully intends to make the trip to Beijing despite Barcelona insisting he is due at the Camp Nou for the beginning of preseason training.

The Catalan club have already admitted Ronaldinho is not part of their plans for the forthcoming season with the former world and European player of the year expected to join either AC Milan or Manchester City.

"I feel very positive and I am not thinking about anything that is not good," he revealed. "I am imagining myself at the games, playing well and bringing back the gold medal.

"I have great confidence that I will go the Olympics in good shape and that is a great motivation to train. I have not played for a long time and I really do miss it.

"That is why I want to work hard and be ready. I am not thinking about if someone is going to stop me or try and block me from going to Beijing."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)