Ronaldinho plays as second-choice in practice for Brazil vs. Ecuador

Ronaldinho, awarded in 2004 and in 2005 with the FIFA World Player of the Year prize, took part as a second-choice midfielder in Brazils national team's practice for the friendly match against Ecuador on Tuesday in Stockholm, Sweden.

The player has had disappointing performances in the national team since the World Cup in Germany. Head coach Dunga, who took over the team in July, drafted the midfielder/striker for four out of the five friendly matches played by Brazil since the end of the Cup, but his participation did not seem to show any improvement.

Spain's Barcelona fans have also been criticizing Ronaldinho for his frustrating contribution to the club in the latest matches.

In the game against Ecuador, all indicates that Dunga will replace the player for Milan's midfielder Kaka, who played in the first-choice team in the practice on Monday. But the coach stressed that Ronaldinho is just going through a difficult phase.

"Ronaldinho is suffering with the criticism and the pressure. I do not agree with much of that criticism. He has not had a vacation and that is affecting his performance. I am trying to motivate him and I am sure that he will shine again," said Dunga.

Tuesday's game against the Ecuadorians will be held in the stadium where Brazilians won their first World Cup title, in 1958.

Source: Xinhua