Ronaldinho backs Ronaldo to come good

KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, June 17 (Reuters) - Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho was confident troubled team mate Ronaldo would bounce back to form in Sunday's World Cup Group F match with Australia in Munich.

"I think Ronaldo is a player who has a lot of quality and the trust of all his team mates," Ronaldinho told reporters on Friday.

"We have a lot of confidence that in the next match he will be able to do everything he is capable of to help Brazil to collect another win." Ronaldo, who won the World Player of the Year award in 1996, 1997 and 2002, was jeered when he was substituted in the 69th minute of Tuesday's 1-0 win over Croatia after a lumbering performance in which he looked short of match fitness.

On Wednesday, the striker was taken to a clinic for check-ups after complaining of nausea and dizziness. No abnormalities were found.

Ronaldo has also been handicapped by blisters on his feet, a brief sinus problem and continuous talk he is overweight, with even the president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, joining in.

Ronaldinho said Brazil's target was to get better as the tournament progressed. "Brazil started well with three points," he said.

"Our aim is to improve with each match and get to the final." Ronaldinho, who has won the World Player of the Year award for the last two seasons, was asked how it felt to be compared with the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona.

"My dream has always been to follow in the footsteps of the best players," he said. "I am very happy with the standard I have achieved so far and my intention is to keep improving.

"I'm still young and have a lot to learn...but I want to go even further."