Brazil legend Ronaldinho has blasted this year’s Copa América squad ahead of the tournament, saying there is a “lack of love for the shirt” among the team.
Ronaldinho, who won Copa América with Brazil in 1999 and the World Cup in 2002, took to Instagram to bemoan “a sad moment for those who like Brazilian football.”
“It’s difficult to find energy to watch the games,” he wrote. “This is maybe one of the worst teams in recent years, it has no respectable leaders, just average players for the most part.
“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. There’s a lack of love for the shirt, a lack of determination and most importantly [a lack of] football.
“The performance has been one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. It’s a shame. That’s why I declare I’m giving up here. I won’t watch any CONMEBOL Copa América games and I won’t celebrate if Brazil win.”
The 2005 Ballon d’Or winner did find time in an interview on the Cartoloucos channel to say that Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior deserves to emulate that individual feat in 2024, having helped Los Blancos to a LaLiga and Champions League double.
Brazil’s first game at Copa América comes against Costa Rica on June 24, with Colombia and Paraguay also in Group D.