Brazil trainer criticises Real Madrid pre-season
(Agencies)
Updated: 2003-09-05 11:19

Brazil's physical trainer said that he was worried about the fitness of Real Madrid duo Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo and criticised the Spanish club's pre-season programme.

Both players are expected to line-up for the five-times world champions as they begin the defence of their crown with qualifiers away to Colombia on Sunday and at home to Ecuador on Wednesday.

"They had a bad pre-season and have only played two games so far," Moracy Sant'Anna said on Thursday, referring to Real Madrid's tour to the Far East.

"They travelled to Asia and that wasted most of their pre-season."

Sant'anna said he was more worried about Ronaldo, who missed training on Wednesday after complaining of back pains, but took part as usual on Thursday.

"Ronaldo's the one who needs more care," Sant'anna said.

"If we had more time to do specific work with him, we would."

He added that Brazil's squad were at different levels of fitness.

"We have some players here in Brazil who are more than halfway through the season and the majority have come from Europe, where the season is starting with differences from one country to another," he said.