Rijkaard originally opposed to Ronaldinho signing

By Duncan Shaw Apr 8, 2006, 0:20 GMT

FC Barcelona Brazilian player Ronaldinho (L) fights for the ball with Benfica´s midfielder Beto (R) during their Champions League quarter final second leg soccer match played at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday 05 April 2006. EPA/Alberto Estevez

Madrid - After Wednesday's triumph over Benfica, Frank Rijkaard and Ronaldinho delighted the 90,000 crowd in the Camp Nou with an effusive public hug.

Together, coach and megastar, they had guided Barcelona to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup.

But Rijkaard was opposed to the signing of Ronaldinho for Barca three years ago.

This is the astonishing claim about to be made by Sandro Rosell, who was Barcelona vice-president - with special responsibility for transfers - from 2003 to 2005.

This is one of the many allegations Rosell makes in his book 'Welcome to the Real World', allegations which are bound to raise eyebrows and cause debate.

On Friday the online edition of Madrid sports daily AS carries an advance of the book, which will be published on April 19.

Rosell was the right-hand man and close friend of Joan Laporta, who won the Barcelona presidential elections in 2003 promising to bring in even more attractive stars than deadly rivals Real Madrid.

Rosell resigned a year ago, annoyed at having his transfer powers reduced - and annoyed at the influence of Johan Cruyff over Laporta.

In his book Rosell again attacks 'the massive influence' of Cruyff over Laporta, calling the former Barca captain and coach 'the real power in the shadows at the club.'

The most interesting revelation in Rosell's book concerns the signing of Ronaldinho from Paris Saint-Germain, just weeks after he and Laporta had taken charge at the Catalan club.

According to Rosell, Rijkaard - just installed as coach after fellow Dutchmen Guus Hiddink and Ronaldo Koeman turned the job down -didn't want Ronaldinho in his squad, considering him an unnecessary luxury.

Rosell claims that he 'had to spend hours' persuading Rijkaard to make space for Ronaldinho.

Then a year later, in July 2004, Rosell had to insist on Barca signing Samuel Etoo, against Rijkaard's judgement.

Despite these disagreements, Rosell claims to have had 'a fairly good relationship' with Rijkaard.

It is Rosell who has taken the blame for planning to replace the Dutchman with Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari when Rijkaard was struggling in his first season at Barca.

According to Rosell, however, it was Laporta who instructed him to contact Scolari, 'even though in public he was saying how much confidence he had in Rijkaard.'

Rosell confesses to being 'really proud' when he watches Ronaldinho and company play nowadays, 'because it was me who brought him and other players, such as Deco, (Jose)Edmilson, (Rafa) Marquez and (Ludovic) Giuly to the club.'

It is widely believed that Rosell intends to stand against Laporta in the presidential elections scheduled for 2007, though in his book he simply states that 'I would love to have the chance to help Barca again in the future, in whatever capacity...'