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World and European footballer of the year
Ronaldinho pleaded with the referees to look after him and his
World Cup titleholding team-mates Brazil during the World Cup
finals which get under way in Munich on Saturday morning (AEST).
The Barcelona playmaker added that he and his team-mates were
itching to get started - they play 1998 semi-finalists Croatia in
their opening match in Berlin next Tuesday (local time) - as they
bid to win a sixth World Cup for their country.
However, Ronaldinho said that he hoped the referees would pay
special attention to their opponents in trying to stifle their
flowing attacking style of football.
"All the teams are waiting for us and will be doubly alert in
paying attention to our attack," said Ronaldinho, who scored a
wonder goal four years ago against England in the quarter-finals.
"That motivates me even more because I know that no player is
going to make life easy for us.
"It is important that the refereeing is rigorous because of our
style of playing."
Ronaldinho, though, said he was delighted with his own form.
"It is wonderful to be approaching a World Cup finals in the form
that I am in," he said.
"There is no nerves in our camp, we are just gagging to start the
tournament. We have of course prepared to do our best, because we
know that the World Cup will be difficult if we are not ready. We
will not win."
Ronaldinho said he expected group rivals, Croatia, Australia and
Japan, to shut up shop in a desperate attempt to close out their
imposing attack of himself, Ronaldo and Robinho.
"Every team we play regardless of their normal style of play
defend against us," he said.
"We are mindful that it is difficult to score goals in that case.
"The others play tight at the back and will wait to hit us on the
counter attack."
-AFP
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