Ronaldinho expecting to face tough defense at World Cup

Ronaldinho knows being the best player in the world has its burdens. One of them will be to face defenders extra motivated trying to stop him at the World Cup.

Photo: Ronaldinho expecting to face tough defense at World Cup

Ronaldinho expecting to face tough defense at World Cup

"I've been facing tough defense for quite some time with Barcelona and the national team," Ronaldinho said Tuesday before one of Brazil's practice sessions in Koenigstein. "It's not going to be any different in the World Cup."

Ronaldinho, named FIFA player of the year for the last two consecutive times, will be leading Brazil on its quest to win its second straight World Cup title, and sixth overall.

"All nations try to set up the best defense in the world when they are facing Brazil," he said. "We know we will face a lot of difficulty because of that. Everybody plays very defensively against Brazil."

The striker, who helped FC Barcelona win the Spanish title and the Champions League earlier this year, said he doesn't want extra pressure because of his status of best in the world.

"I think everybody (in the team) has the same responsibility," he said. "What I have is a lot of motivation to play my best. I'm going through a wonderful moment and I hope to get to the World Cup at the same level."

Ronaldinho, 26, also said he's not worried about his scoring drought during the team's pre-World Cup preparation. He netted no goals in the three warm-up matches in which Brazil outscored its opponents, Swiss club FC Lucerne, Fluminense's under-20 squad and New Zealand, by 25-1.

"My job (in the national team) is different," he said. "I have to help the forwards score."

Ronaldinho will be playing in his second World Cup. He was a member of the squad that won Brazil's fifth title at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, reports AP.

O.Ch.