Ronaldinho: We're a team

Ronaldinho insists Brazil are no one-man team.

The Barcelona playmaker has been tipped as the man to guide the South Americans to their third World Cup in the last four tournaments.

But the 26-year-old maintains he cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of expectation when Brazil open their campaign against Croatia on Tuesday.

Ronaldinho told the Sunday Mail: “I played in the 2002 winning side but there wasn’t the same expectation on me then as there is now.

“We had Rivaldo in our team four years ago and a lot was expected from him.

“The players had faith in him, the supporters had faith in him and the coach had faith in him. It was a lot to cope with and he delivered.

“Things have moved on. Rivaldo is no longer playing for Brazil, but we still have Ronaldo and many other good players.

“I’m fortunate to play with good players. We are not a one-man team – this is not all about Ronaldinho.

“I cannot win the World Cup on my own. When we won it in 2002, it was Brazil who were the victors.

“It does not say ‘Rivaldo’ or ‘Ronaldo’ on the trophy. It will be the same this time if we win. It will not say ‘Ronaldinho’.

“It will say ‘Brazil’.”