Rijkaard: Ronaldinho's Working Hard
Ronaldinho will be unable to take part against Real Mallorca in the Copa del Rey, but coach Rijkaard insists that this is merely down to a temporary injury situation that the player is working to address.
Some fans have questioned why Ronaldinho is spending so much time in the gym, but Rijkaard has sought to allay their fears.
"He wants more than anyone to help and participate," said the Dutchman.
"All that interets me is that he feels good, he's able to work, and can give a lot to the team.
"Now he's working - that's the important thing. If he returns this week or next, that doesn't matter - what we want is for him to be well.
"He's given a lot to the club and the fans, and we hope that once again he'll show us what he can do as a player."
Deco, meanwhile, returned to the squad after his own absence, which garnered no small measure of attention.
"I'm delighted by him and the squad in general," continued Rijkaard.
"It's always important to see players recovered."
Lionel Messi hasn't yet fully reached fitness, though, with Rijkaard somewhat irritably saying that he "is a little bit short" of match sharpness after the young Argentine jetted off to Qatar midweek.
Looking ahead to the encounter with Sevilla in the Copa del Rey, Rijkaard said, "I don't intend for us to lose.
"We're mentally prepared to deal with the opposition. People say that we'll qualify, and while I don't say this, I say that we're keen to do so.
"Away from home we picked up a good result [1-1] and now we can finish it off."
Steve Michaels, Goal.com
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