FCBARCELONA.CAT

17.05.2007 15:15

“We will fight for the league harder than ever”

Sandra Sarmiento

Ronaldinho told reporters at the Camp Nou: “The team will do everything to end up champions”. He also confirmed that he will not be taking part in the Copa America because he needs to rest and revealed that he sees himself with Barça next season.

With just four league left in which to recover the league leadership, Ronaldinho admitted: “We’ve missed chances to be comfortable. Sometimes we’ve been unlucky. Other times we’ve missed clear chances to score. But we’re fired up to be champions. Our thoughts were to be in the fight for titles. We’re not proud but there’s still a very important title left and we will fight for the league harder than ever”.

No to the Copa America

Ronaldinho will be enjoying a summer holiday this year for the first time in four years. He has turned down the chance to play in the Copa America, which will take place in Venezuela between 24th June and 15th July: “I spoke with the CBF and explained that I needed to rest in order to be fit for next season. This year has been very hard. I didn’t have the chance to prepare myself with my team-mates. I’ve damaged myself and I don’t want that to happen again”.

Open to criticism

Despite scoring 18 goals so far this season and being Barça’s top scorer in the Rijkaard era, it hasn’t been an easy season for Ronaldinho, who has been a target for criticism. He accepts this criticism with modesty: “You learn a lot at difficult times. We players live for the present and we have to demonstrate every single day that we deserve to be in this Club. I can perform better. I’ve scored a lot of goals but I haven’t had a run of good matches. Sometimes I haven’t trained because I didn’t feel well and I needed to do some strength training in the gym”.

His future

Ronaldinho also spoke once again about his footballing future: “I’m not thinking about anything but Barça. I want to rest and prepare well to be with my team-mates next season in Barcelona. I’ve always said that I’m fine here”. Not for the first time, Ronaldinho made his intention to remain with Barça very clear.

His relationship with Eto'o

Finally, Ronaldinho referred to his role as one of the team’s captains: “I try and keep the group united and strong”. He assured reporters that he has a good relationship with Eto'o: “Our friendship carries on as always and we have never had any problems”.