Barcelona have issued a statement reiterating that Ronaldinho remains part of the club’s long-term plans.
Speculation over Ronaldinho’s future at Camp Nou has been rife in recent days following the Brazilian’s absence from the wins over Sevilla and Real Zaragoza.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for the playmaker, whose form and attitude have come under scrutiny in recent weeks.
On Wednesday coach Frank Rijkaard stressed that Ronaldinho was staying at the club.
“It doesn’t even cross my head that he will leave,” he declared.
“In football people forget very quickly. He had and still has incredible value.
“He’s working hard to recover as quickly as possible and he’s got great desire to return to the team and there’s nothing behind the issue,” he added.
Following Wednesday night’s win over Zaragoza, the club released a statement explaining Ronaldinho’s continued absence from Rijkaard’s starting line-up.
The statement read: “In the face of the avalanche of information and opinions about the absence of first-team player Ronaldinho from the last two league games, Barcelona wishes to clarify:
“That the absence of the player is strictly medical – specifically related to a calf problem in his right leg, as was officially announced last Saturday.
“That the player, the same as the rest of the players at the club, has the support of all the organisation to recover from his physical problems.
“That Ronaldinho is considered a basic piece of the current sporting project, and as such, there are no plans other than for his continuity in the first team.”
