Ronaldinho hints at new Atletico Mineiro deal

Rio De Janeiro, Dec 22 (IANS) Ronaldinho has expressed his desire to sign a new contract with Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro.

The 33-year-old’s current deal expires Dec 31 but the star’s brother and agent, Roberto Assis, is set to hold talks with Atletico officials in the coming days, Xinhua reported.

“I’m not thinking about any club other than Atletico,” Ronaldinho was quoted telling Brazil’s O Globo after Atletico secured third place at the FIFA Club World Cup in Marrakech with a 3-2 victory over Guangzhou Evergrande.

“Now I want to take a break and forget about football. My brother will speak to Atletico’s directors to decide my future.”

Ronaldinho, who scored his second goal of the tournament with a deftly placed free-kick, was sent off late in Saturday’s match after kicking out at a defender.

“I was sad because things didn’t go how I wanted them to,” he said. “This victory was important. The fact we didn’t make the final will not diminish the historic year this club has had.”

The two-time FIFA world player of the year has been linked with a move to Turkish side Besiktas and his former club Gremio.