Legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho has expressed his disillusionment with the current state of the national team, stating that the players lack passion and dedication to the jersey.
The two-time Copa América winner and 2002 World Cup champion took to Instagram to share his disappointment, citing a lack of leadership and subpar performances.
“The team’s preparation and leadership have been underwhelming, making it difficult for me to even watch the games,” Ronaldinho wrote. “This squad lacks the drive and determination that defined our teams in the past. It’s a shame to see such mediocrity. I’ve been following football for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never seen a Brazilian team as unimpressive as this one.”
Ronaldinho’s criticism comes ahead of Brazil’s Copa América campaign, which begins on June 24 against Costa Rica.
The team has struggled in recent years, losing the 2021 Copa América final to Argentina and failing to reach the World Cup semifinals since 2014.
“I won’t be watching any of the Copa América games, and I won’t be celebrating if Brazil wins,” Ronaldinho declared. “The team needs to rediscover its love for the game and its passion for the jersey. Until then, I’m disconnecting from the national team.”
