Ronaldinho motivated for Brazil's debut

SHENYANG, China (AP) — Lack of motivation will not be a problem for Ronaldinho at the Beijing Olympics.

One of the games' biggest stars, the two-time FIFA Player of the Year can't wait to get on the field and try to lead Brazil to its first Olympic title in soccer.

"What motivates me the most is the chance to make history in Brazilian football and win this first gold medal," Ronaldinho said Tuesday, two days before Brazil's debut against Belgium.

"We all know that if we win this medal we will make history. It's an unprecedented title," said Ronaldinho. Brazil's captain. "It's a very important competition, just as important to us the World Cup and other big tournaments."

The Olympic gold medal has eluded Brazil so far. It is the only significant title the five-time World Cup champions have never won. The Brazilians won the silver medal twice, at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and the 1988 Seoul Games, and bronze at Atlanta in 1996.

"Very few players have an opportunity to participate in two Olympics, and I'm glad I'm having this chance to win what we let slip away in the past," said Ronaldinho, who was on the Brazilian Olympic team eliminated by Cameroon in the quarterfinals of the 2000 Sydney Games. Brazil did not qualify for Athens in 2004.

It will be the playmaker's first tournament since transferring from FC Barcelona to AC Milan in a move that could revamp his career following a disappointing season in European soccer. He hasn't played in an official competition in more than four months.

"Every time a professional player changes teams and plays in an important competition, it's a new start," Ronaldinho said. "I'm very happy with these opportunities and I'm motivated to do my best.

"It's a special moment in my career and I hope I'll be able to do my best here," he said. "I'm feeling well and I'm in good physical condition."

Ronaldinho and his Brazilians teammates practiced at Shenyang Olympic Sport Center Stadium on Tuesday.

Ronaldinho is set to start against Belgium, but coach Dunga will not be able to count on defender Thiago Silva, who is nursing a right leg muscle injury sustained in the team's 2-0 win over Vietnam in a warm-up match on Friday.

Silva and Ronaldinho are the only two over-23 players summoned by Dunga, who could not get clubs to release the nation's other top stars such as Kaka and Robinho.

The 28-year-old Ronaldinho got to play only because he negotiated his release before transferring to Milan.

Brazil is in Group C, along with host China and New Zealand. It will play New Zealand on Sunday and China on Aug. 13.

"We need a good start to put us on the right track for the rest of the Olympics," Ronaldinho said.

The Olympic football tournament begins two days before Friday's opening ceremony in Beijing to accommodate its lengthy schedule.