FCBARCELONA.CAT

25.04.2007 15:49

Ronaldinho: “Criticism motivates me”

Ronaldinho is back in the groove and enjoying playing football again after returning to the FC Barcelona team last weekend. Despite criticism that he has received this season, the Brazilian remains upbeat.

During the trip to Egypt to play Al-Ahly, the Barça number 10 took time out to speak to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat about his personal training programme, the season so far, the title race and his reaction to the critics.

How are you?
"I have recovered, now I feel fine."

How is the personalised training plan?
"It has gone very well. I have worked hard. I have to make use of the time that I have to be strong and to be ready for the last few games."

Did you need a rest?
"I did not want to stop, but I had the flu and I lost weight, so it was necessary. Now I feel a lot better."

People have said that you had glandular fever. Do you defend yourself against that rumour?
"Defend myself? No. I simply tell the truth and that was a lie."

It has been a difficult year, with all the criticism you have received...
"When the team is not doing well, this is the kind of thing that happens. The lead that we have in the league is deserved. Everyone talks and asks questions. It is something that motivates me and now I am going to try and help the team in the best way that I can."

Does it surprise you that you are criticised despite being the team's top goalscorer in the league with 17?
"People say what they want. To me, it all serves as a motivation to continue playing at my normal level and to end up winning two trophies this season."

Is your future with Barça?
"I am happy here; I want to finish the season strongly. Players live in the moment and I have to prove that I am good enough to carry on playing here."

So, you are happy here?
"Yes, when I start playing again. I am fine."

How are things in the dressing room?
"The same as always. When you do not win games people start to make things up that are just not true. The squad is the same as always, everyone is motivated. Sometimes we are angry because there are games that we should not have lost, where things did not go well. But we carry on."

Some rumours state that you do not get on with Samuel Eto'o that well.
"I get along with him very well. People do talk a lot and a lot of what is said is not true."

Let's talk about the good things, like Messi's goal...
"I was watching it on television and it was one of the best goals I have ever seen and I will always remember it."

Does that kind of thing motivate you?
"It is great to see beautiful goals. It is a goal that every player would like to score."

How do you see the team doing towards the end of the season?
"We have to keep our feet on the ground. We have to stay calm because we can win both trophies (the league and the Copa del Rey) and we have to fight for that."