RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 21(Xinhua) -- Gremio have denied plans to woo their former star Ronaldinho back to the club next year.

Ronaldinho's contract with Atletico Mineiro expires at the end of the month and the 33-year-old has been linked with a return to the Porto Alegre club where his career began.

But in an interview with local media, Gremio president Fabio Koff ruled out interest in the two-time FIFA world player of the year.

"The possibility of signing Ronaldinho does not exist," Koff said.

"Gremio are in a different financial situation now, we have problems here and we are trying to cut expenses."

Ronaldinho scored with a free-kick in Atletico Mineiro's 3-1 semifinal loss to Raja Casablanca in the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday.