Brazilian striker Ronaldo is irritated at having to sacrifice his vacation to play in the Confederations Cup, a local newspaper reported on Wednesday.

　　"It would be very prejudicial to me," the Real Madrid player said in an exclusive interview with the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, Brazil's largest. "There will be a World Cup next year, that means I'll be without vacations for two years."

　　Ronaldo and nearly all other Brazilian regulars playing in Europe were summoned to play in the eight-team Confederations Cup in Germany on June 15-29. Among the regulars, only World Cup veteran defenders Cafu and Roberto Carlos have not been called for the competition.

　　Ronaldo was frustrated that the Brazilian Soccer Confederation, or CBF, called up the players despite knowing they will end up without a lengthy vacation until after the 2006 World Cup.

　　"Usually they (CBF) talk to us, but nobody talked to me this time. It was strange," he said. "I'll have to contact CBF in the next few days because I'll be facing a very big problem."

　　CBF officials argue that the Confederations Cup will be crucial in Brazil's preparations for the 2006 World Cup.

　　"The competition will be played only a year before the World Cup," CBF technical supervisor Americo Faria said earlier this week on the confederation's Website. "It will be very important to observe players who could be summoned for 2006."

　　Roberto Carlos - Ronaldo's teammate at Real Madrid - and AC Milan's Cafu were not called up because coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said he wants to test newcomers Leo of Santos and Cicinho of Sao Paulo.

　　Brazil is hoping to avoid a repeat of its 2003 showing, when it fielded a squad of veterans and less experienced players and was eliminated in the first round.

　　Ronaldo said that the speculations about him being overweight are an "exaggeration."

　　"I weigh 87 kilograms right now and I'm very fine with it," he said. "The problem is that people look fatter on television, when I meet with people personally, they are surprised."

　　(The Associated Press)