Veteran Brazilian Ronaldinho's hopes of playing in December's Club World Cup are in the balance after he picked up a thigh injury in training, his club Atletico Mineiro said Friday.
Club doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told reporters the 2002 world champion had suffered the injury on Thursday and an IRM showed a torn muscle.
However, he expessed hope that the 33-year-old would return in time for the December event in Morocco.
"We must be careful in talking about time frames when it comes to a muscle injury -- it depends much on the player," Globo Sports quoted Lasmar as saying.
"It is a serious injury and the recovery time is not short. He could be back in three months, three and a half, two and a half.
"I think it is possible he will play the World championship."
The former Barcelona star is unlikely to make next June's Brazil World Cup squad under Luiz Felipe Scolari who led the 2002 vintage which included Ronaldinho to glory in Japan.
But the veteran is keen to add a major club honour having in July already helped Atletico to their first Libertadores title at the expense of Paraygauan three-times champions Olimpia.
Source: AFP
