Transfer to Chelsea, dismay with Barca fans, injuries and fatigue. Roberto de Assis is associated with them all.


Ronaldinho's brother and manager, Roberto de Assis has given his opinion on the on-going Ronaldinho saga in which the Brazilian is being accused of low form and inconsistency by the media who have attributed those factors to responsible for the midfield gem being substituted by coach Frank Rijkaard and also being left out of the match against Sevilla. Roberto finds it riduculous that such suggestions could be made, arguing that Ronnie was clearly injured and could not make it to the Sevilla game as a result. De Assis has attributed Ronaldinho's substituition by coach Frank Rijkaard as a result of fatigue and injury which became more evident as the matches against Osasuna and Olympique Lyon wore on. Roberto de Assis says:

The players are only human and they have had various long journeys to make in the last few weeks and it is going to have an affect. For a player to be tried and injured is normal. A lot of things are being said simply because Ronnie is injured. There’s a lot of pressure on the players of Barca right now, cos everyone expects so much from them, including the fans. Although this is not the best way to approach this matter, it is however a problem for the whole team, although a high profile star like Ronaldinho will obviously pay a higher price for being who he is.

On suggestions of any problems with FC Barcelona, Ronaldinho's brother says there's no frost in relations with Barca:

We have had a nice relationship with Barca and have not had any problems. We are not currently faced with any problems even as of now. I wonder why all this news is flying here and there. Everyone seems to have his own version of what is happening to Ronaldinho in Barca. The fact remains that Ronaldinho, just like any other player can sometimes be injured and will need to rested for full recovery. That doesn't mean there's any negative relationship or disagreement with the club management. I think it's normal for any player to be given leave when he's injured or unable to play certain matches.

Roberto also hailed Lionel Messi who dedicated his two goals against Sevilla to Ronaldinho:

It was a pretty nice thing to do. It's a good sign of unity and togetherness in the FC Barcelona squad. I was happy to see and it and so was my brother Ronaldinho. Indeed, he was very delighted.