Barca official defends Ronaldinho, predicts mercurial performance


FC Barcelona's technical Director, Txiki Begiristain has expressed total confidence in Ronaldinho's ability, pointing out that the huge expectations from the Brazilian was a testament to his outstanding qualities and skills. The director also linked the pressure on Barca players to perform to the huge fan base the Catalan club has, in a way of saying to whom much is given much is expected! The FC Barcelona fan base has been rapidly expanding, and as many as 160 million football followers world wide have heard of or have watched live coverage of Barca's matches over the years, especially in recent times. On Ronaldinho, Txiki says:

Ronaldinho's will to succeed is massive and unrivaled. It's hard to see players with such drive and determination. Indeed, we shall see much more of him very soon and watch the magic he often produces on the pitch. I have no doubts as to Ronnie's ability and huge talent.

Speaking on the fanbase and expectations from supporters, Txiki says:

The fanbase is demanding, but faithful. It's Barcelona's greatness that shows, because people applaud if it's good, and if the fans aren't happy, it shows. But the most important thing is that people come to watch us expecting to see great things, and that's down to players like Ronaldinho. But the fans must watch the whole. A team doesn't revolve around just one player. Responsibility is distributed a lot more. So, we need to have a mindset not based around thinking of one player.

High number of ticket demand makes way for better seating arrangement.


As you come to Camp Nou to watch the match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid today at 5 o'clock, please note the seating arrangements and availability of seating at the stadium will follow the Seient Lliure scheme. Read more about this:


Seating Arrangements: FC Barcelona - Atletico Madrid.

Club president reflects feeling among Barca officials after emphatic victory in La Liga match day 5.


FC Barcelona's president Joan Laporta has echoed the impression held by the coach Rijkaard and all of Barca's players after the Catalan giants showed might against Real Zaragoza in Camp Nou. Laporta was particular on team spirit, unity and togetherness, also having a nice word for Barca fans who showed their solidarity to midfielder Ronaldinho after escalated press reportings cast the relationship between the star and his fans in questionable light. On the Zaragoza display, Laporta said:

The unity was great and I hope that the players continue working like that. There are a lot of players with ability to win games and tonight the whole team played well. I could not pick out an individual. We have had three important home game and we have won all of them and by playing very well.

On injured Ronaldinho Gaucho, Joan Laporta said:

We are all with Ronaldinho. He is a key member of this team and I hope that he, and Samuel Eto'o, return to action soon. They have to be part of this team. I liked the fans singing for Ronaldindo a lot.

Nice words of akcnowledgement comes from FC Barcelona's coach as Barca fans move to quash hostility rumours.


Coach Frank Rijkaard has hailed Barca fans in their show of support for injured midfielder, Ronaldinho Gaucho, who was reported to have contemplated leaving FC Barcelona after a run-in with some of the fans who employed unsavoury tactics in expressing their displeasure with the performance of the entire Barca team in previous encounters. In the most recent match, Barca fans chanted Ronaldinho's name all through the stadium and urged the entire Barca team on with loud cheers and celebration. Frank Rijkaard says:

The show of support by the fans proved very valuable to the players during the game. That's what the players need. That kind of support encourages the players. Showing unity is what everyone wants. When more people are together, we are stronger. When we are stronger, we are able to win consistently.

Ronaldinho missed the match against Sevilla and also the one against Real Zaragoza, as the Brazilian international is yet to recover from a muscle injury likely sustained in Brazil's last two international friendlies against Mexico and USA.

After being accused of neglect and discouragment to the players, Barca fans rise to prove critcs wrong.


Barca fans have turned up in their large numbers to show support to the traumatised star Ronaldinho. The injured Brazilian and Barca fans are two great partners. However, in recent times, Ronnie and the entire Barca team have been out of favour with the fans. This took it's high point last week when the fans began to show more and more of their displeasure when Barca were still playing goalless against Sevilla.


The media took advantage of this, climaxing in the British tabloid, The Sun, reporting that the seemingly unappealing treatment from Barca fans was one of the core reasons why Ronaldinho was working at a move to Chelsea through his agent and brother, Roberto de Assis. This has not gone down well with Barca fans, who are keen to show that only a small section, perhaps not even registered fans, were responsible for the problems. The fans thronged in their thousands to watch their idol train at La Masia as Ronaldino begins to recover from injury. They chanted his name in demonstration of their support. The Barça star, ready as ever to acknowledge the Barça faithful, responded with his now famous surfers gesture.


Ronaldinho appeared on the Camp Nou pitch in the company of his fitness coach and exercised for 30 minutes. The short session was designed to put the player through his paces and test what progress has been made as the player tries to get match fit as soon as possible. His individual session concentrated on coordination movements and running at different speeds, with a particular focus on the way his body is supported. The Brazilian also did some work with the ball, although this was kept to the minimum and was never too strenuous for fear of provoking further damage.


It was a huge thrill for the tourists enjoying the Camp Nou Tour to get the chance to see one of the finest players in the world in the flesh.