Ronaldinho is predicting he will soon recapture his best form
and admitted that he has been given a new lease of life following
his move from Barcelona to AC Milan this summer.
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Ronaldinho: No.1 in the world again?
The Brazil international was named FIFA World Player of the Year
in 2004 and 2005 but rarely played last season for Barca with
injury woes and lack of form seeing him lose his starting spot with
the Catalan giants.
But the South American star is eager to again delight the world,
telling Gazzetta dello Sport: ''I hope I can return to be
number one in the world in little time. I am working intensely to
achieve this.''
"I'm at a stage of adapting to my new circumstances and my only
concern right now is to regain my form and add consistency to my
performances. This year I have played little and won nothing. But
in 2009, if I am in good condition, I will be among the favourites
for the Ballon d'Or.''
Ronaldinho, who signed a three-year contract with the Milan
outfit and was the Rossoneri's top summer signing at
Euros21million, has no regrets over his decision to leave La Liga
after five seasons with Barca.
''It was simple,'' he said. ''A cycle had ended at Barcelona. We
had won everything and what happened next was part of life.''
However, the move to the San Siro has denied Ronaldinho the
chance to play in the Champions League this season as Milan having
failed to qualify for the tournament after a fifth-placed finish in
Serie A last term.
''I miss the Champions League because it is the most beautiful
tournament,'' he said who won the competition in 2006 with Barca.
''But at Milan we want to win the UEFA Cup and the Scudetto.''
Milan fans had to be patient to see Ronaldinho open his scoring
account in the Italian top flight, but when it came it proved to be
memorable as it came in the 1-0 win over city rivals Internazionale
on September 28.
''It was one of the most beautiful and important goals of my
career,'' he admitted. ''I hope that it will be the first of many
in the Rossoneri colours. It was beautiful to score the winner in
an important game like the Milan derby, it was an intense
feeling.
"I want to thank the fans for the support they have shown me
since the first day. I cannot make any promises to the fans, only
tell them that I will give my best.''
