Ronaldinho rumours abound

TALK OF DIVORCE hung heavy in the Spanish air yesterday with Ronaldinho’s forecast split from Barcelona filling the back pages.

Fuelled by reports from London that Chelsea were preparing to table a €70m bid for the out-of-sorts Brazil striker, newspapers here predicted separation would come sooner rather than later.

Spanish media claim Barcelona are fed up with the 2005 Footballer of the Year’s poor form, while the player himself has grown tired of the repeated attacks on his private life.

He has kept a distinctly low profile since being accused of late night binges before games five days ago with the official line being that he is recovering from a muscle problem which kept him out of Barca’s game against Sevilla last Saturday.

Barca president Joan Laporta declared they needed “to help (Ronaldinho) to regain his best form so that he doesn’t feel isolated”.

Laporta insisted that he had not yet “received any firm offers” for the star forward, whether from AC Milan or Chelsea.

Barca coach Frank Rijkaard said the criticism of the player was unjustified and ruled out transferring him.

“It’s not fair — people forget the incredible value (he brings to the team),” Rijkaard told reporters.

Saying that he wanted the player to get fit, Rijkaard added: “We are all human. He is too. And when he feels fit again he will be back to the player we all know. He is a very important player for us.”

Nonetheless, such praise contrasted with the “ultimatum” reportedly issued to Ronaldinho by his Catalan employees.

According to sports daily Marca, he was told: “If you don’t change, you’ll find yourself on the street.”

The 27-year-old forward’s brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, commenting on the growing rift on Monday, told The Sun newspaper: “I’m sure that a campaign exists against Ronaldinho.

“He is doing everything he can in order to return to his very best and soon he will see the fruits of his hard work. He will be at a high level again soon.

Despite being jeered by fans in the Nou Camp, criticised by former Barca star Johann Cruyff, and sidelined by Rijkaard; Ronaldinho can still count on the support of his team-mates.

Lionel Messi dedicated his two-goal haul against Sevilla to him on Saturday while Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta insisted there was nothing wrong with having a drink 48 hours before kick-off as Ronaldinho is supposed to have done recently.

Ronaldinho joined Barcelona in 2003 and his silky skills have helped them to two league titles and the Champions League in 2006.