Ronaldinho set for Barcelona return
Saturday, 29 September 2007
BARCELONA, Spain, Sept 28 (AFP): Barcelona's under-fire Brazilian star Ronaldinho will return to the pitch for Tuesday's Champions League match against Stuttgart, according to Spanish press reports Thursday.
The club was forced to issue a statement supporting Ronaldinho Wednesday after widespread media speculation that they were looking to sell the Brazilian for a reported 70 million euros (95 million dollars) to Chelsea.
It had been reported that Ronaldinho, below par since the start of the season, was seen at a nightclub partying 48 hours prior to Barcelona's mediocre goalless draw with Osasuna.
Barcelona's official line is that a calf strain has kept the 27-year-old out of the last two matches, a 2-1 win over Sevilla last Saturday and Wednesday's 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza.
"The absence of the player is down strictly to medical criteria," the club said Wednesday.
Spanish media continue to claim, however, that Barcelona are tired of the 2005 Footballer of the Year's relatively poor form while the player himself is said to be upset about repeated gossip regarding his private life.
Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, admitted the player had experienced "a difficult period" and didn't rule out a possible departure despite his contract until 2010.
The club was forced to issue a statement supporting Ronaldinho Wednesday after widespread media speculation that they were looking to sell the Brazilian for a reported 70 million euros (95 million dollars) to Chelsea.
It had been reported that Ronaldinho, below par since the start of the season, was seen at a nightclub partying 48 hours prior to Barcelona's mediocre goalless draw with Osasuna.
Barcelona's official line is that a calf strain has kept the 27-year-old out of the last two matches, a 2-1 win over Sevilla last Saturday and Wednesday's 4-1 win over Real Zaragoza.
"The absence of the player is down strictly to medical criteria," the club said Wednesday.
Spanish media continue to claim, however, that Barcelona are tired of the 2005 Footballer of the Year's relatively poor form while the player himself is said to be upset about repeated gossip regarding his private life.
Ronaldinho's brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, admitted the player had experienced "a difficult period" and didn't rule out a possible departure despite his contract until 2010.