Ronaldinho to 'abandon' Brazil at Copa America and makes brutal prediction

15 June 2024 , 16:43

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Ronaldinho is frequently seen at Brazil games - but won't be watching any this summer (Image: Getty Images)

Ronaldinho has staggeringly announced he will "abandon" Brazil during this summer's Copa America and won't be tuning in to any of their matches.

The iconic player is disgruntled with the national team's performance ahead of their 38th appearance at the championship, a tournament they've previously clinched nine times. Ronaldinho, who was part of the victorious 1999 squad and the World Cup-winning team in 2002, isn't hopeful about Brazil's chances this time around.

The former attacking midfielder, who hung up his boots in January 2018, played 97 games for Brazil's senior team, netting 33 goals. Despite winning the Copa America as hosts 18 months after his retirement, Brazil failed to defend their title in 2021 when they hosted the tournament once again.

In an interview with Brazilian YouTube channel "Cartoloucos", translated into English by "Marca.", Ronaldinho expressed his pessimism. "Things are not going well," he said. The video, which sees Ronaldinho answering 100 questions, was uploaded on Friday, a day after the USMNT drew 1-1 with Brazil in a friendly match. "Grit is lacking, dedication is lacking, everything is lacking, Ronaldinho explained."

Ronaldinho explained. "Everything is missing, drive, joy... They need to play well, so I'm not going to watch any games," he concluded, adding: "I'm going to abandon Brazil."

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Argentina are tipped to be the favourite to retain their title and break a tie with Uruguay by winning for the 16th time in the upcoming tournament. However, Brazil are seen as the second favourite ahead of Uruguay.

The five-time World Cup champions find themselves in Group D alongside Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay. Argentina, on the other hand, shares Group A with Canada, Chile and Peru. If both teams top their groups, they would avoid each other until the final, assuming they both progress that far.

This could set up a repeat of the 2021 showdown when Argentina clinched a 1-0 victory thanks to Angel Di Maria's goal. The defending champions also made it to the final the only other time the tournament was held in the U.S in 2016 for Copa America Centenario.

Ronaldinho won't be watching any of Brazil's Copa America games this summer (Getty Images)

That year marked the centenary celebration of CONMEBOL and its premier men's international tournament. The final ended in a stalemate, with Chile emerging victorious in a penalty shootout 4-2.

Brazil, however, failed to advance past the group stage for the first time since 1987. They drew 0-0 with Ecuador, thrashed Haiti 7-1 but lost their third game 1-0 to Peru, finishing third.

The national team will be keen to avoid a similar fate eight years later. Only goalkeeper Alisson and central defender Marquinhos remain from that squad.

Should they make it to the final again and Marquinhos plays in all six games, then the Paris Saint-Germain player will join Ronaldinho as one of only 19 players to have made over 90 appearances for Brazil. Eight have made more than 100.

Matthew Abbott