BARCELONA president Joan Laporta admits that former World Player of the Year Ronaldinho needs to leave the club if he is to revive his career.
"He (Ronaldinho) needs a new challenge. When a cycle finishes it is normal that the most emblematic pieces also come to an end," Laporta told Catalan television station TV3, adding that Samuel Eto'o could also be on his way out.
"I would like Ron
aldinho to be given a great send-off so that he is remembered for all he has given us and that if he didn't do any more it was because the circumstances wouldn't allow it."
Laporta admitted that the club might find it difficult to sell the 28-year-old Brazilian, who suffered a series of injury and fitness problems this season and started just 13 of the club's 38 league matches. Ronaldinho last played for Barcelona in the 2-1 loss at home to Villarreal on 9 March, but began complaining of muscle pain in his right leg soon afterwards and has been out of action ever since. AC Milan expressed their interest in signing Ronaldinho, and the player's brother Robert De Assis said they had reached an agreement over personal terms.
But the Serie A club later said they had been unable to agree a fee with Barcelona.
Ronaldinho joined Barcelona in 2003, immediately reviving the morale of a club that had not won a major trophy since 1999. He helped Barca win back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006 and the Champions League.
Cameroon forward Eto'o, who has been strongly linked to Tottenham, was also close to leaving the Nou Camp last summer and may have now played his last game for Barca.
"Eto'o is a player who is loyal to the club colours, who gives so much and who makes you love him," Laporta said.
"He has also been one of the most emblematic players of this cycle and if he has to go then he deserves to do so with his head held high too, and with honour."
Laporta also said the club had decided to reject the possibility of appointing Jose Mourinho as coach and opted for former player Pep Guardiola as Frank Rijkaard's replacement because the former Chelsea coach would not have suited Barcelona.
"We decided that if Frank did not continue then we would choose Guardiola because Pep possessed the necessary humility," said Laporta.
"We didn't think about coaches like Mourinho or (Rafa) Benitez, who are both great coaches, but they aren't right for Barcelona. So we told Rijkaard that when he left Guardiola would take his place."
Laporta denied that former player and coach Johan Cruyff had vetoed Mourinho's appointment, but admitted that he had given his opinion about the Portuguese.
"They are private conversations between him and me and I'm not going to reveal them. What I can say is that Cruyff is a fervent supporter of Pep."
Barcelona have not won any silverware for the past two seasons. They finished third in the Primera Liga this season, ten points behind Villarreal and 18 adrift of champions Real Madrid.
One player who is definitely leaving is Portugal midfielder Deco, who has been told to seek another club.
Sports director Txiki Begiristain also said yesterday that negotiations with Manchester United over the transfer of Gerard Pique were "well advanced". The defender, a former Barcelona youth player, is expected to join the Catalans shortly after tomorrow's Champions League final against Chelsea. Begiristain indicated that Brazilian defender Sylvinho would be the sole player out of contract to return next season. France defender Liliam Thuram, Brazilian midfielder Edmilson, striker Santi Ezquerro and back-up goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto are the others who are out of contract after this season.
Laporta, who has been a focal point for fans' criticism over the team's final matches, fielded some blame for the players' lack of discipline. And for hanging onto the belief that Rijkaard could transform the team's fortunes following an unbeaten run to start 2008.
"We decided to stick with Frank and not fire him, and I have to take responsibility for that," Laporta said. "Rijkaard didn't leave last summer because we had faith in his professional ability. He wanted to continue and we thought that was the best thing to do."
Laporta advised the Dutchman in February that Guardiola would be his replacement should he leave. Laporta believes the former Barcelona player is well-suited to see the Catalans through the challenges ahead.
"In Pep, we saw a person with humility, a man of conviction and with a style of play that we share," he said.
Barcelona are unlikely to spend as big as they did last close season, when they splashed around £60 million on French internationals Thierry Henry and Eric Abidal, Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure and Argentina defender Gabriel Milito.
"We're looking for balance, not names. We're looking for players who will give their all," Laporta said.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have signed 21-year-old Argentine centre-back Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander, club president Ramon Calderon has confirmed.
The full article contains 855 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
