Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho will be the main attraction when
European champion Barcelona takes on its fellow continental title
holders at the Club World Cup.
The December 10-17 tournament features the top club teams from
soccer's six confederations.
"I'd love to win the Club World Cup," Ronaldinho told the
FIFA.com Web site. "This year, I wanted to win the (Spanish)
league, the Champions League, the World Cup (in Germany), and the
Club World Cup. Unfortunately it proved beyond us in Germany, but
that makes me even more determined not to miss out in this
tournament."
European champion Barcelona will kick off against South American
champion Internacional of Brazil, Mexico's Club America
representing North and Central America's CONCACAF, African
champions Al-Ahly of Egypt, Asian champion Chonbuk of South Korea
and New Zealand's Auckland City FC, the Oceania champion.
Ronaldinho, winner of the 2004 and 2005 FIFA Player of the Year
awards, has had a stellar year for Barcelona, leading the Spanish
side to the Champions League title. The low-point came at the World
Cup where Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by France.
Ronaldinho said a finals showdown with his former Brazilian
arch-rivals Internacional would be a difficult encounter.
(China Daily December 7, 2006)