RONALDINHO SAYS HE'S FEELING 100 PERCENT FIT AGAIN

By TALES AZZONI

Ronaldinho says he's recovered from the grueling European season and is fully prepared to help Brazil defend its World Cup title.

"I'm fine now," Ronaldinho said Friday. "We had enough time to rest and practice. I already feel 100 percent."

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year said last week he'd arrived for Brazil's training camp "feeling a bit tired" after helping FC Barcelona win the Spanish title and the Champions League.

"Everything (I was feeling) when we got here is gone now," Ronaldinho said.

Ronaldinho was one of the players rested by Brazilian doctors from training sessions last week. His last competitive match was the Champions League final on May 17, just five days before reporting to Brazil's two-week training camp.

Ronaldinho said everything about Brazil's preparation "has been perfect" so far, and that the team is on the right track to debut in top form against Croatia on June 13 in Berlin.

"Everyone in this group knows each other very well," he said. "We are always happy (to meet) for a competition."

Ronaldinho, known for his nifty skills and dazzling moves, also said there were very few moments these days he's not trying out new tricks with a soccer ball.

"It's my favorite pastime," Ronaldinho said. "I grew up doing that, copying other people's moves or inventing new things."

Ronaldinho was a member of the squad that won Brazil's fifth title at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He played five matches and scored two goals, including a spectacular free kick against England in the quarterfinals.

He has 46 goals in 87 matches for Brazil. He led Brazil to titles in the 1999 Copa America and the 2000 pre-Olympic tournament, as well as in last year's Confederations Cup in Germany.

Brazil, which is in Group F along with Croatia, Australia and Japan, will play its last match before the World Cup on Sunday against New Zealand in Geneva.