Over laboured Ronaldinho to stay out of Villarreal encounter.


Coach Frank Rijkaard has decided to rest Ronaldinho and exclude the Brazilian star in the weekend La liga match against Villarreal. The Brazilian superstar was due to return to Camp Nou by 11.30am on Friday, but the long haul back from South America proved too much and he did not show up. Rijkaard will now preferably use Ronnie in Barca's mid-week Champions League game against Rangers in Glasgow during the forthcoming midweek fixtures.


Ronaldinho was the star attraction in both of Brazil's matches played against Colombia and Ecuador as the five-time world cup champions aim to qualify for the next world cup in South Africa.


The decision to exclude Ronaldinho has paved the way for Giovani Dos Santos to be given a chance of starting in his second league game of the campaign. Bojan Krkic could also move up the rankings as he will be the first choice forward on the bench to go on in El Madrigal, ahead of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Santi Ezquerro.


The full squad includes:


Valdés, Jorquera; Oleguer, Thuram, Puyol, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho; Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Marc Crosas; Messi, Henry, Bojan, Giovani, Ezquerro, Gudjohnsen.