Barca insist duo will stay
Ronaldinho has been upstaged by Lionel Messi and the cameo displays of Bojan Krkic this season
Also In The News
|
A UK resident released from Guantanamo Bay yesterday has been granted bail at a court in central London. |  |
Friday, 21, Dec 2007 10:15
Barcelona have rubbished reports that Ronaldinho and boss Frank Rijkaard will leave the club in the January transfer window.
The Catalan giants trail leaders Real Madrid by four points in La Liga, sparking rumours that Jose Mourinho is being lined up to replace Dutchman Rijkaard.
Barcelona and arch rivals Madrid clash at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
Ronaldinho has been linked with a move to Chelsea after an alarming slump in form.
The Brazilian, who was named World Player of the Year and European Player of the Year in 2005, has been criticised for his fitness levels.
Speaking after Barcelona were drawn against Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League today, sporting director Txiki Begiristain insisted Ronaldinho and Rijkaard will not leave the club.
"We recognise Frank is so important for us," Begiristain said.
"With him as coach we had better results - we were champions in the championship [in 2005 and 2006], champions in the [2006] Champions League. We are so happy with him that we will keep him.
"We are happy with [Ronaldinho]. It is not an easy moment for him but I know he will try to come [good] again and if he comes again he will stay with us.
"He is not for sale. We always say he wants to stay in Barcelona. He is happy in Barcelona and he is thinking the same - he wants to stay with us."
The two-time European Cup winners will clash with Celtic in the first leg at Parkhead on either February 19th or 20th.