Ronaldinho Vaguely Injured

By: Daryl | September 22nd, 2007

Ronaldinho right leg injury Ronaldinho’s been under a bit of pressure lately. He’s not in his usual all conquering Barcelona form and Frank Rijkaard has substituted him off in the last three games, including the recent 3-0 Champions League win over Lyon where he was whistled by Barca fans. And not in a good way. The Spanish media are unhappy with Ronaldinho’s nightlife and training regime, suggesting he’s doing too much of the former and not enough of the latter, and Rijkaard has challenged his number 10 to regain the form that spawned a million badly edited YouTube videos. But the return to form won’t be happening today, as Ron has pulled out of today’s big game against Sevilla with a rather vague sounding “pain in his right leg.”

And if you’re thinking that sounds a bit like a lame excuse not to play, then I can see your point. But spare a thought for Mr. Dinho. Thanks to the aforementioned YouTube videos, the world expect miracles every time he touches the ball. The guy missed the Copa America through exhaustion. And for somone like Ronaldinho to do that he must have needed the rest. After two long seasons, a World Cup and marketing heavy friendlies around the world he could arguably use an even longer rest to get back to his best. I say we let him have it.

With Leo Messi, Thierry Henry, Deco and Andreas Iniesta to choose from as well as exciting young talent like Bojan Krkic and Giovani dos Santos all eager to play and Samuel Eto’o set for an October comeback, there’s plenty to keep us entertained at the Nou Camp. I’d rather watch the youthful exuberance of Giovani and Bojan than a tired and unenthusiastic looking Ronaldinho. And if takes a vague and slightly unconvincing injury for him to get his enthusiasm back then so be it.