Ronaldinho expects hostile welcome from Brazilian fans

YOKOHAMA, Dec 15 (Reuters) Barcelona's Brazilian striker Ronaldinho is expecting a rough ride from Brazilian fans when his side face Internacional in Sunday's Club World Cup final.

Ronaldinho, who began his career at Inter's Porto Alegre rivals Gremio, is hoping to add the final piece to his glittering collection of trophies in Yokohama.

''When I was a schoolboy at Gremio I remember there was a plaque which read ''We are the World Champions'' on the wall,'' said twice world player of the year Ronaldinho.

''As a boy I wanted to win all the titles Gremio had. It's always been an ambition to win the Club World Cup.'' Gremio won the Club World Cup's forerunner -- a one-off game between the champions of Europe and South America -- in 1983.

Ronaldinho said he was anticipating a typically hostile reception from Internacional's supporters on Sunday but said it would only make him more determined.

''I know the Inter fans will boo me,'' he smiled. ''I will support Gremio all my life. Gremio fans will want Barca to win.

''It's important for us because it's a final -- not because it's Inter.'' Ronaldinho scored Barca's third goal in the European champions' 4-0 demolition of Mexico's America on Thursday in his return to the scene of Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph.

Barcelona are odds-on favourites to win the final in the same stadium, and go one better than Johan Cruyff's team who were beaten 2-1 by Brazil's Sao Paulo in the corresponding fixture in 1992.

REUTERS SAM BST1553