Barcelona FC to Rebuild - Without Ronaldinho

by armchairsports | May 19, 2008 at 09:24 am | 312 views | add comment

Football: Barcelona keen to keep hold of Ronaldinho

It's the end of an era at Barca, whole-sale changes are underway to try to return the club to elite status after a sub-par year. The fact that Ronaldinho is considered to have his best years behind him at the age of 28 makes one think that he just may land in his feet (so to speak). Ronaldinho has been rumored to be on his way to Manchester United after a planned move to AC Milan fell through in April when a transfer deal could no be reached.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes it may be time for Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho to leave the club.

The 28-year-old has had a problematic campaign in which he has started only 20 games and has been linked with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Manchester City.

He has not played since 9 March because of a leg problem and Laporta told television station TV3: "We've told him that he needs new challenges.

"When you finish an era it's normal that the leading figures should leave."

Laporta said the club considered selling Ronaldinho in the summer of 2007 but decided not to after discussions with manager Frank Rijkaard and the player.

But Barcelona finished third in La Liga this season and were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage during a trophyless campaign.

Laporta is now instigating major changes and has already ended Rijkaard's reign, with the Dutchman being replaced by Pep Guardiola for next season.

Rijkaard and Ronaldinho, who both joined Barca in 2003, helped the club clinch the league title in 2005 - the first since 1999 - and then the Champions League and la Liga double the following year.

Laporta added: "I very much hope that Ronaldinho can leave as Frank Rijkaard has done, with his head held high, and that we can remember him as the man who gave us two League titles and one Champions League title.

"I am very grateful to Ronaldinho."

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has also been linked to a move away from the Nou Camp and Inter Milan and Tottenham appear keen on the Cameroon international.

Laporta stated: "Eto'o is a player who is loyal to the colours, who sacrifices himself, who people like.

"The day he goes he deserves a big send-off and to leave with full honours."

Meanwhile, Laporta denied the club took the decision not to go for Jose Mourinho as manager on the advice of Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff.

"Mourinho not coming is not a decision taken by Cruyff," insisted Laporta.

"I asked him what he thought, as I ask lots of people. In this case, Cruyff is very much in favour of Pep Guardiola."