Former Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldinho is hoping his recent purple patch with Flamengo adds impetus to his bid to resurrect his career with the five-time World Cup winners.
“My objective is to do my best with Flamengo and if the coach needs me I will be ready,” said Ronaldinho, who returned to Brazil in January after a two-and-a-half-year spell with Milan.
Having scored a memorable hat-trick for Flamengo in a 5-4 win over rivals Santos last month, the 31-year-old Ronaldinho is firmly back in the public domain – and wants Menezes to sit up and take notice.
“It’s the moment I’ve been dreaming of (to return to the Brazil squad). Physically, I’m in top form,” he added.
Bruce reveals Bellamy interest
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has reiterated his interest in Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy.
City boss Roberto Mancini has made it clear the 32-year-old Wales international, who spent last term on loan at hometown club Cardiff, is not part of his plans this season.
Quoted in several newspapers, Bruce said: “I haven’t got a wide left player, not a natural one, although we’ve got people who can play there, so we’ll see.
“We’re all looking at Manchester City because they’ve got some great players who can’t even get in the squad.
“Craig Bellamy is a possibility. He can play wide left and up front so we’ll see.”
Romeu keen to impress for Blues
Chelsea new boy Oriol Romeu would like to return to Barcelona one day, but is currently only thinking about being a success at Stamford Bridge.
Barca confirmed Chelsea had paid €5 million (£4.35m) for Romeu, with the deal including a buy-back clause of €10m after one year and €15m after two.
Regarding the possibility of one day returning to the Nou Camp, Romeu said: “You never know what can happen in the future. I will always support Barca and hopefully some day I can return there.
“But, right now, what I want is to succeed at Chelsea and be well there.”
Dortmund the team to beat – Oenning
Hamburg coach Michael Oenning admitted his side were a distant second best in Friday’s Bundesliga-opening 3-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.
The champions had enough chances to at least double their tally of goals, and Oenning accepted the Westphalians were a class apart.
“Dortmund are currently playing in a league of their own,” he said. “You have got to recognise that.”
Germany coach Joachim Loew was also impressed with Dortmund’s performance. “It seems like Dortmund could be even stronger than they were last season,” Loew said.
Mancini explains Tevez confusion
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has accepted the blame for the confusion over Carlos Tevez’s return to training.
Tevez will miss the FA Cup winners’ Community Shield clash against Manchester United today having been granted leave following Argentina’s Copa America campaign until tomorrow.
“I have spoken to him, his phone is working again,” joked Mancini, referring to reasons he gave for not being able to contact the player earlier in the summer.
“He was on holiday, there was a mistake. We said he needed to come back on August 5 with Zaba (Pablo Zabaleta) but it was my mistake because I told him come back on August 8.”
Fabregas doubtful for season opener
Arsene Wenger does not expect wantaway captain Cesc Fabregas to be fit to lead Arsenal in their opening game of the new Premier League season (vs Newcastle).
The Spain midfielder was again conspicuous by his absence from the squad for last night’s final pre-season friendly against Benfica in Portugal.
The Gunners boss feels his captain needs more rehabilitation time ahead of any anticipated return to action in an Arsenal shirt.
“He is just coming back from injury and is not ready to play in a game, but he is not injured,” Wenger said.
“I don’t think Fabregas will be ready to start the season because he has been out for a long time and has had no games.”
No Genoa return for Borriello
Genoa are not in talks to bring Marco Borriello back to the club, director of sport Stefano Capozucca said.
Reports in the Italian media said the Roma striker was returning to the club where he enjoyed an excellent spell in 2007-08, netting 19 goals in 35 games.
Borriello is considered an alternative to Genoa’s top target, Fiorentina hitman Alberto Gilardino.
“Borriello is certainly a great player and we were happy to have had him in our squad in the past,” Capozucca said.
“But he will not return to Genoa for two reasons. The first is we have other objectives for our strike force. The second reason is his wages are beyond our means.”