Ronaldinho Declares He Won't Support Brazil In Upcoming Copa America

Ronaldinho has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current state of Brazilian football, announcing he will not support his former team at the upcoming Copa America. The ex-Selecao star criticised Dorival Junior's squad during an interview with Brazilian YouTube channel Cartoloucos, just 10 days before Brazil's Copa opener against Costa Rica.

Brazil has struggled to advance past the World Cup quarter-final stages since their 2002 victory in Japan. They finished as runners-up in the last Copa America, losing to Argentina in the final. In their most recent warm-up game, Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw with the United States, further fuelling Ronaldinho's frustration.

Ronaldinho shared his thoughts on Instagram, posting a clip of his interview. "That's it folks, I've had enough," he wrote. "This is a sad moment to enjoy Brazilian soccer. It's hard to find the mood to watch the games. This is perhaps the worst time in the last two years, no respected leaders, just average players in their majority."

He continued, "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 one of the worst things I've ever seen. Such a shame."

Ronaldinho concluded by stating he will not watch any CONMEBOL Copa America games or celebrate any victories. Brazil faces Paraguay and Colombia in their other group games as they aim for international glory, with or without the backing of their former global superstar.

Brazil's performance in recent years has been under scrutiny, and Ronaldinho's comments reflect a broader concern among fans and analysts about the team's direction and leadership. The upcoming Copa America will be a critical test for Dorival Junior and his squad as they seek to restore faith and achieve success on the international stage.