Ronaldinho Named a Lenovo Worldwide Brand Ambassador; Technology Company Partners with FC Barcelona to Kick off a New Wave of Brand Promotion

Lenovo Group Limited today announced a cooperation with FC Barcelona and its superstar, Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, otherwise known as Ronaldinho Gaucho. Ronaldinho will be a Lenovo Worldwide Brand Ambassador. Ronaldinho, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Player of the Year for two years running, currently plays for Barcelona and the Brazilian national team and is expected to play a key role in Brazil's defense of its World Cup title when the tournament begins on June 9, 2006.

Ronaldinho will be featured in worldwide marketing campaigns and promotional activities for the recently announced Lenovo-branded notebook and desktop PCs powered by Intel.

"Through innovation and excellence in customer service, Lenovo is building a global brand that we believe customers will recognize and trust," said Deepak Advani, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Lenovo. "FC Barcelona and Ronaldinho bring world-class play and teamwork to the field, and they are always trying to improve their game. These traits resonate well with us at Lenovo -- we believe Ronaldinho represents our culture of innovation and our pursuit of excellence."

Marc Ingla, vice president of FC Barcelona, said, "We are delighted to have Lenovo as our partner and have Ronaldinho promote Lenovo and the FC Barcelona brand together globally. I believe the excitement of football combined with cutting-edge technology will bring more happiness and enjoyment to people in the world."

Strengthening the ties between technology and sports, Lenovo earlier this year completed its first-ever sponsorship of the Olympic Games. With more than 6,000 systems in place supporting the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Lenovo's flawless debut demonstrated that the world's third-largest PC company is ready to compete on the world's largest stages and serve the world's most demanding customers with high quality products and reliable customer services.

"I am glad to be a Lenovo Worldwide Brand Ambassador," said Ronaldinho. "From keeping in touch with friends and family when I am in training, to designing my exercise routines, to keeping an eye on Barcelona's standings, technology and products provided by Lenovo have added value to my life as an athlete."

Ronaldinho first made his mark in the worldwide football arena in 1997, as the top scorer for the winning Brazil team at the "Under-17 World Championships." In 1999 he led his team to victory at the America's Cup. In 2005 he took the European Footballer of the Year and the FIFPro World Player of the Year awards. His unique football skills have won Ronaldinho numerous professional accolades and have endeared him to fans around the world.

Work still to be done, insists Ronaldinho

Barcelona still have plenty of work to do against AC Milan to reach the final of this year's Champions League, Ronaldinho has insisted.

Barca's Brazilian superstar inspired the Catalan club to a 1-0 first-leg win over their prestigious counterparts last night, a result that has given them a huge advantage ahead of the return leg on home soil at the Nou Camp.

But the world's best player, who brilliantly set up Ludovic Giuly with a deft chip to claim the only goal in the 57th minute, has urged his team-mates to avoid complacency, insisting the tie is far from over.

'We have survived the first 90 minutes,' he said. 'I am very happy because this win means a lot to us. To be able to beat Milan on their own pitch is a very good result and this can only motivate us for the second leg.'

But he added: 'We still have 90 minutes left to play and we must not forget it. We have done our job in Milan and now we must continue to be humble and work in a serious manner in order to do well and win titles.'

And Ronaldinho's warning for his team-mates is fully justified, according to Milan's Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who is adamant that his team can overturn the deficit and progress to the final.

'It is a bad result for us,' Seedorf admitted. 'But we must look ahead for there are still 90 minutes left to play and anything can happen.

'We will analyse this game and be prepared to battle in order to reach our second consecutive final. One thing is certain, Barcelona will suffer next week.'

AC MILAN-BARCELONA: Rested Ronaldinho Ready For Milan

"There's nothing like the Champions League," has become AC Milan's motto as Carlo Ancelotti's side gear up for a Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Barcelona Tuesday in Milan.

Even though Milan already have six European titles under their belt, the Devils feel only a seventh crown will help ease the pain of losing last year's final to Liverpool despite leading 3-0 at one stage. Barca, meanwhile, have only won the tournament once, back in 1992, but coach Frank Rijkaard is determined to convert the Catalan giants into European heavyweights.

"At the moment, Milan have more experience than us," said Rijkaard. "But maybe now is the time to change things, so that in a few years people will say that Barcelona is the team with most experience."

On Sunday Rijkaard flew out to Milan with his squad in good heart, after Friday's 1-0 win over Villarreal had practically ensured another Spanish "Liga" title. The only bad news from the Villarreal match was the calf strain suffered by veteran striker Henrik Larsson, who will be out for at least a week.

Rijkaard's other injury absentees are midfield general Xavi Hernandez and teenage sensation Lionel Messi. Portugal midfielder Deco will miss Tuesday's first leg after being handed a one-match suspension by UEFA.

The good news for Rijkaard is the return to fitness of midfielder Thiago Motta and of reserve striker Santi Ezquerro. FIFA World Player Ronaldinho has been rested for Barca's last two matches, against Racing Santander and Villareal. Understandably, the Brazilian is really fired up now for Tuesday's clash.

"I feel wonderfully physically," said Ronaldinho before boarding the plane. "This rest has done me a lot of good, and I can hardly wait for the ball to start rolling on Tuesday night."

Milan still have an outside chance of taking the Italian title after last Friday's defeat of city rivals Inter Milan means they are now just five points adrift of Serie A leaders Juventus, who could only draw at the weekend.

But the 46-year-old Ancelotti, who led Milan to the Champions League in 2003, is concentrating at the moment on Barcelona. "I don't make plans, not on paper nor in my mind. And the players are thinking about the semi-final with Barcelona, which, by itself, is quite a big thought," he said.

Milan are almost certain to be without striker Filippo Inzaghi as the in-form veteran has been plagued by tonsillitis and fever. Ukraine star Andriy Shevchenko and the young Alberto Gilardino are likely to start up front while veteran captain Paolo Maldini should start in defence.

Not surprisingly, the Giuseppe Meazza is a sell-out with Milan set to cash in an unofficial record sum of 3.3 million euros (3.9 million dollars). Between 4,000 and 5,000 Spanish fans are expected in Milan, a lower number than those who followed Bayern Munich and Olympic Lyon in the two preceding rounds.

The second semi-final between Arsenal and Villarreal takes place Wednesday
By Alberto Cagliano, dpa

With JogaTV, Nike Pushes Soccer Videos to U.S. Fans

Nike recently rolled out an "Internet TV" channel called JogaTV for U.S.-based soccer fans.

The video application is part of the company's new Joga.com global social networking effort, undertaken last month with Google as a partner.

JogaTV will deliver soccer footage and related content to people who install a downloadable application. Features include new "Joga Bonito" (beautiful play) TV spots from Nike, a rap video featuring U.S. soccer player Clint Dempsey, viral videos featuring Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, a weekly blog, and a countdown to the U.S. team's first game in Germany at the start of the World Cup tourney.

JogaTV will automatically download new content each week, notifying end users when it's available.

The application, which launched quietly three weeks ago, was implemented by desktop rich media enabler Maven Systems. Wieden+Kennedy handled some of the design work.

Nike is promoting the channel through outreach to blogs and discussion forums, as well as via its NikeSoccer.com and Joga.com properties.

Nike has become well known for its branded experiences. It recently shot and hosted an online-only music video featuring R&B recording artist Rihanna, and created a Web site for London marathon enthusiasts that mashed up Google Maps with community features.

Like those efforts, JogaTV has a niche target demo in mind.

"It's very focused," said Samantha Stone, director of product marketing for Maven. "It's specific to soccer, and it's very specific to young fans. We see an increasing trend in this new form of long form advertising. As internet video and television become mass-adopted communication vehicles, we'll see more companies doing more long-form advertising."

Ronaldinho to miss Barcelona-Santander game for leg injury

Ronaldinho will be out of FC Barcelona's Spanish league game with Racing Santander because of abruised right leg, the club said Saturday.

The Brazilian forward sustained the injury during Wednesday's 2-0 win over Benfica. Ronaldinho scored the first goal to help the team gain a place in the Champions League semifinals.

Ronaldinho has netted 15 of Barcelona's 70 league goals this season.

Barcelona's 19-man squad for Sunday's visit to lowly Santander was also without forward Lionel Messi, who has recently recovered from a right thigh injury, and defender Oleguer Presas, who has been rested.

Barcelona is virtually certain to retain its league title. It lies 11 points clear with seven games remaining. Enditem

Rooney tipped to outgun Ronaldinho

Wayne Rooney will challenge Ronaldinho to be the player of the tournament at this summer's World Cup, according to Sir Bobby Charlton.

Barcelona's brilliant Brazilian is the current FIFA world player of the year and has today been shortlisted for another award, the Laureus world sportsman of the year.

Charlton said: "Every World Cup produces a great star. In my time I have seen Pelé, Cruyff, Maradona and Ronaldo, and this summer it could be Ronaldinho, though I have a sneaking feeling that Wayne Rooney will give him a real battle for it.

"It depends how well England do in the tournament, but Wayne is a player who thrives on pressure. The bigger the game, the better Wayne plays.

"Wayne and Ronaldinho both have amazing skill and control, but the Brazilian has a bit more experience than Wayne at the moment, but don't forget Wayne is just 20 while Ronaldinho is 26. I would be prepared to bet that Wayne Rooney at 26 will be an even more effective player than Ronaldinho."

In other Laureus awards, Liverpool have been shortlisted in the team of the year category, world marathon champion Paula Radcliffe in the sportswoman, Scotland's tennis sensation Andy Murray in the newcomer category and golfer Colin Montgomerie in the comeback category.

Laureus world sportsman shortlist: Fernando Alonso (Formula One), Lance Armstrong (cycling), Roger Federer (tennis), Ronaldinho (football), Valentino Rossi (MotoGP), Tiger Woods (golf).