Ashaab

Ronaldinho wants a place in history

Ronaldinho believes he is ready to repay the faith shown in him by coach Dunga [GALLO/GETTY] 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 football. "What motivates me the most is the chance to make history in Brazilian football and win this first gold medal,'' Ronaldinho said, 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,'' Ronaldinho said. "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 the 1996 Atlanta Games. "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 the 2004 Athens Games. Fresh start It will be the playmakers' first tournament since transferring from FC Barcelona to AC Milan in a move that could revamp his career following a disappointing season in European football. 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, Brazil's captain, 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 August 10 and China on August 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.