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Daily Mirror

Party pooper: Ronaldinho reckons Brazil will ruin England's 150-year celebrations

PLUS: Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva claims England don't know what pressure is compared to Brazil

Ronaldinho come to London with Brazil in February
Samba style: Ronaldinho dances past England players(Image: Getty)

Ronaldinho says Brazil will “ruin” ­England’s 150-year Wembley party on Wednesday night.

England play Brazil as part of the FA’s 150-year ­anniversary celebrations – but Ronaldinho, now playing for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, means business.


Having been recalled to the Brazil squad after a year-long absence, the 32-year-old is desperate to claim a place for himself at next year’s World Cup in his home country.


“It is a special game for England with the FA ­celebrating 150 years,” said Ronaldinho, who has been called up by newly ­reappointed ­Brazil ­manager Luiz Felipe ­Scolari.

“I’m sure they will be ­looking for a good result to ­celebrate the occasion, but we are going to ruin the party. For me, this game does not have the word friendly in it.

“I have been given a chance to prove what I can still do for Brazil and to have a real chance to be part of the 2014 World Cup.

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“To play in a World Cup is always special, but to play in one in your own country is not an opportunity many players get. Scolari has made it clear that anything but winning the World Cup in Brazil is not acceptable.

“From now there are no friendly games.”

Ronaldinho is still ­remembered for his 2002 World Cup quarter-final winning goal against ­England – a teasing 40-yard free-kick strike that baffled ­goalkeeper David Seaman.


“When we play England, I get asked if I meant that goal in 2002,” Ronaldinho said. “I knew David Seaman came off his line quite a lot, and I knew if I put the ball where I did that it could cause him problems. So I meant it. It was not luck!

Lucas talking: England don't know what pressure is, says Leiva

Lucas Leiva of Brazil battles for the ball with Steven Whittaker of Scotland
Great expectations: Only winning the World Cup will do for Brazil(Image: Getty)

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has told England’s players they don’t know what pressure is, writes Simon Mullock.

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Lucas, who is disappointed to have been left out of Brazil’s squad to face England at Wembley on Wednesday, insists that the level of expectation is much worse in his country.

Brazil host the World Cup next year and Lucas said: “The Brazilian people expect nothing less than victory. Even if we got to the final and lost it would be a nightmare. We lost to Uruguay in 1950 when we last hosted the World Cup – and the people talk about that game more than they talk about the five finals we have won.

“The whole country stops for the World Cup.”

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