The former Brazilian national coach and current manager of Fenerbahce, Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as "Zico" spoke on Barca TV and congratulated Blaugrana coach Frank Rijkaard for what he has achieved with the Barca team. Zico believes that Rijkaard has put together a great side and admires how the team play football. He believes that Barca deserved to win the European Cup last year and is clear favourite for the La Liga titles this year.


Here are some of the former Brazil coach Zico´s comments:

Rijkaard was one of the best midfielders I have ever seen. He is a great person who I had the honour of meeting along with Van Basten. We chatted for a while in '98, when we were coaching Holland and Brazil respectively. Given the way he thinks about football and how he played in midfield, he had to become a great coach. He has put together a Barcelona team that plays very well, that plays perfectly and that plays competitively.

Ronaldinho is a marvellous player, I admire the way he plays, because he is so precise and because he knows that at any time he can produce an amazing move to delight us all. Another positive thing is that Rijkaard knew how to find the right position for Ronaldinho to be important to the team. That is one of Barcelona's greatest achievements. He is a player no manager would want to turn down.

It's only logical for so many Brazilians to like Barça so much because it is a club where so many Brazilians have done well. Especially Evaristo, who is now a great manager. He was one the best players at Flamengo and eventually left for Barcelona and became a local hero there. And there were so many others who played for Barcelona, like Ronaldo, Rivaldo and now Ronaldinho. As a Brazilian, I am thrilled to see that so many great players have done so well there, like now with players like Sylvinho, Ronaldinho and Deco himself.

Last year they deservedly won the Champions league. This year they don't feel quite so happy, but that's normal. But they are doing fine in the league, and have every chance of winning it again.