Dunga sends message to Ronaldinho

June 23, 2008

Under fire Brazil coach, Dunga is reported to have sent Ronaldinho a message talking about his involvement in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Countries at the Olympics are permitted a maximum of 3 players over the age of 23, Ronaldinho is said to have been called up by the CBF against the wishes of Dunga leaving a sour taste in the coaches mouth.

At the moment, the mercurial Barcelona forward is regaining his fitness under the watchful eye of the CBF (Brazilian Football Federation). The trainer Paulo Paixao, with whom he worked with at Gremio, has requested that Ronaldinho is allowed 30 days to recover both physically and psychologically after a torrid season.

There have been obstacles to the federation’s desires as the competition is run by the Olympic Committee and not Fifa so they have found themselves battling more red tape than usual in their efforts to include the buck-toothed magician in Brazil’s plans.

Under fire coach Dunga has faced calls to resign in recent weeks following the team’s awful qualifying campaign so far. But Dunga has played down this situation, saying it to be normal among Brazil coaches. The 44-year-old coach has already commented on this matter, criticizing the Brazilian federation: “I came here to do a work, I set rules and some did not like that.”

Brazil are currently in fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualifying region and will thus have to play a team from CONCACAF if they stay in this position in the standings table.

Robert Fitzpatrick

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