Brazil striker Ronaldinho will not play in the 2005 Confederations Cup as his club Barcelona want him to front their lucrative summer tour of Japan, according to media reports.
Spanish league leaders Barcelona have organised two friendly matches in Japan against Yokohama Marinos on July 12 and Urawa Red Diamonds three days later that will net the Catalan club around three million euros.
Barcelona asked the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) to release Ronaldinho and the CBF have reportedly given the Brazilian superstar the green light to forfeit the Confederations Cup, being held in Germany from June 15-29.
Ronaldinho is popular in Japan having won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil in Yokohama and Barcelona hope to use his iconic status to raise their profile.
Barcelona vice-president, Sandro Rossell, is a former director for sports giant Nike in South America and has good connections with Brazil's national team after helping the five-time World Cup winners to secure a 400 million dollar sponsorship deal with Nike.
