Ronaldinho shrugs off weight jibes

RONALDINHO shrugged off claims about his weight as he helped Barcelona shrug off their mini-crisis and go two points clear in La Liga with a 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last night. An own goal by Amorebieta, a fine volley by Xavi and a cool finish from the recalled Eto’o in a brilliant first half display saw Barca home.

Earlier boss Frank Rijkaard downplayed concerns about Ronaldinho’s fitness. The Brazilian was pictured after the Champions League defeat by Liverpool looking overweight. Rijkaard does not believe the matter to be a major issue and feels the photographs published were misleading.

The Dutchman said: “When the photo is taken quite close by, with inadequate light or if there is some movement, it can vary the reality a lot and, in this instance, for me there are doubts.”