Ronaldinho's Olympic dream could be over as Barca ask him to report for training

The out-of-form 28 year-old, who has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Catalan club, was named by Dunga, Brazil coach, in the squad for the Olympics on Monday as one of three overage players.

"Ronaldinho has to report for training next Monday for the first work session of the 2008-9 season," Barcelona said in a statement on their website.

"The Olympics do not feature in the Fifa calendar and there are no special rulings on the issue, so the club is not obliged to release its players.

"In recent weeks, sports director Txiki Begiristain has consistently stated that Barcelona's objective is to have the maximum number of players available for the Champions League qualifier."

The Olympic football tournament runs from August 6 to 24 and Barca, who finished third in the league last season, have a Champions League third qualifying round tie on August 12 and 27.

Barca future

Ronaldinho, who starred for Barcelona when they won back-to back league titles and the European Cup in 2006, started just 13 of 38 league matches last season as he struggled with injury and fitness problems.

Pep Guardiola, who was brought in to the Nou Camp as new manager in place of Frank Rijkaard, has said the talented playmaker does not feature in his plans, but off-loading him has not proved easy.

Serie A club AC Milan and the English Premier League's Manchester City have expressed interest in the Brazilian, but a deal has yet to be reached.

Brazil are in Group C at the Beijing Games along with Belgium, New Zealand, and hosts China.

Lionel Messi, Barcelona's Argentina forward, has also been selected for his nation's Olympics squad, and Barca have already written to the Argentine Football Association requesting that he be available for pre-season training.

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