His employers, Spanish giants Barcelona, have ordered him back for pre-season training next week - even though he is surplus to requirements.

The 28-year-old striker was named as one of the three over-aged players in Brazil's Under-23 Olympic squad.

Brazil have won every significant soccer title except the Olympic crown.

They are scheduled to gather in two weeks for the Olympic Games.

Said Ronaldinho: 'I do not see myself being left out of Beijing. I see myself in the Olympics doing good things and bringing home the gold medal.

'Only a few people can play two Olympic Games. I want to go there and win the title we failed to win in the past.

'Our goal is the gold. There is no bigger motivation than that.'

He was named in Brazil's Olympic squad last Monday, but a day later Barcelona posted a statement on their website saying the former World Player of the Year 'will have to report for training on Monday, the first session of the 2008-09 season'.

'The Olympics do not form part of the official Fifa calendar, and no official decision has ever been made in that respect, so the club is under no obligation to allow its players to travel,' the statement said.

The Brazilian star, who last played on March 9, is still under contract with Barcelona, even though he has been linked with transfers to Manchester City and AC Milan.

The player's agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, said he was confident that Ronaldinho would be going to Beijing.

Barcelona may yet change their stance. They had initially barred Argentina's Lionel Messi from playing in Beijing.

However, Messi said last month that he had spoken to the Spanish club and would join the Argentina Olympic squad in China.

Not so lucky is Kaka, Ronaldinho's Brazil teammate.

The World Footballer of the Year is deemed too important by his club AC Milan and has been denied permission to play in the Games.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ASSOCIATED PRESS