Ronaldinho is refusing to watch Brazil’s upcoming Copa America campaign (Picture: Getty)
Brazil football icon Ronaldinho has turned his back on the national team and will refuse to watch their matches at the upcoming Copa America.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain represented the epitome of the Joga Bonito style of football that was once the trademark of Brazilian football.
Flair and spontaneity are in short supply for the Selecao these days, however, with a more pragmatic approach implemented by current manager Dorival Junior.
Brazil begin their campaign against Costa Rica later this month, before further group stage games against Paraguay and Colombia.
Ronaldinho, however, a key member of Brazil’s most recent World Cup winning side, won’t even be tuning in to watch on television, let alone attend the games himself.
Ronaldinho was part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning team alongside the likes of Ronaldo (Picture: Getty)
He wrote on Instagram: ‘That’s it folks. I’ve had enough. This is a sad moement for those who love Brazilian soccer.
‘It’s getting hard to find the spirit to watch one of the worst teams in recent years, it has no respectable leaders, only average players for the majority.
‘I’ve been following football since I was a kid, long before I thought about becoming a player and I’ve never seen a situation as bad as this. Lack of love for the shirt, lack of grit and the most important of all: football.
‘I’ll repeat, our performance has been some of the worst things I’ve ver seen. Such a shame.
‘I therefore declare my resignation. I will not watch any CONMEBOL Copa America game, nor celebrate any victory.’