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Ronaldinho believes new Brazil coach Dunga is just the man to get the South Americans back on track after their disappointing World Cup performance.
The world footballer of the year was left out of the Brazil starting line-up that trounced Argentina 3-0, but will play in Dunga's second match in charge against Wales later Tuesday.
Ronaldinho was one of several Brazilians who failed to live up to the hype at the World Cup, where the 2002 winner were dumped out in the quarter-finals by France.
The Barcelona star admitted that the five-time world champions had struggled to come to terms with their World Cup campaign -- but says Dunga has been a breath of fresh air.
"Every Brazil player in the World Cup squad went home shattered," Ronaldinho said. "For me it was even harder. I created a lot of expectations for myself at the tournament because I had been in unbelievable form last season.
"Now I am even more determined to show the people what I can do.
Dunga has quickly set about ridding Brazil of its 'galactico' culture, drumming it into the squad that all players are equal and emphasising the collective over the individual.
Ronaldinho said he was happy with the new approach, even if it meant having to fight for his place.
"Every day you have to prove you deserve to be in the starting XI. I agree with Dunga,'' he said. "A professional footballer has to 'kill a lion' every day to prove themselves worthy of being kept in the team.
"I am here to do my best for Brazil and show I want to be in the national team for as long as possible."
Ronaldinho said he wants to reproduce for Brazil the sort of form he showed for Barcelona last season.
"Barcelona play very attacking football. They involve me in everything. I like to play further forward with more freedom," he said.
"I always try to play how I play for Barcelona but tactically it has been a bit different with Brazil. This is a new era. I have had a conversation about it with Dunga."
The world footballer of the year was left out of the Brazil starting line-up that trounced Argentina 3-0, but will play in Dunga's second match in charge against Wales later Tuesday.
Ronaldinho was one of several Brazilians who failed to live up to the hype at the World Cup, where the 2002 winner were dumped out in the quarter-finals by France.
The Barcelona star admitted that the five-time world champions had struggled to come to terms with their World Cup campaign -- but says Dunga has been a breath of fresh air.
"Every Brazil player in the World Cup squad went home shattered," Ronaldinho said. "For me it was even harder. I created a lot of expectations for myself at the tournament because I had been in unbelievable form last season.
"Now I am even more determined to show the people what I can do.
Dunga has quickly set about ridding Brazil of its 'galactico' culture, drumming it into the squad that all players are equal and emphasising the collective over the individual.
Ronaldinho said he was happy with the new approach, even if it meant having to fight for his place.
"Every day you have to prove you deserve to be in the starting XI. I agree with Dunga,'' he said. "A professional footballer has to 'kill a lion' every day to prove themselves worthy of being kept in the team.
"I am here to do my best for Brazil and show I want to be in the national team for as long as possible."
Ronaldinho said he wants to reproduce for Brazil the sort of form he showed for Barcelona last season.
"Barcelona play very attacking football. They involve me in everything. I like to play further forward with more freedom," he said.
"I always try to play how I play for Barcelona but tactically it has been a bit different with Brazil. This is a new era. I have had a conversation about it with Dunga."
- T.K.
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