Ronnie's week --- 2. Ronaldinho - Barcelona

While last week a deal seemed close, this week's events, which this blog brings to you in three parts, lead to think that the transfer of Barcelona playmaker Ronaldinho (28) to Milan will not be agreed upon between all parties shortly.

1. Milan - Ronaldinho
(this part was published yesterday, you can read it here)

2. Ronaldinho - Barcelona
After his time in Italy, Roberto de Assís, the brother and agent of Ronaldinho, arrived in Barcelona, where he met at his resquest with Barcelona officials on Wednesday afternoon to talk about the future of Ronaldinho and to inform the club about the negotiations with AC Milan.

The Spanish and Catalan media couldn't agree on the club persons he spoke with: president Joan Laporta, economic vice president Ferran Soriano, sports vice president Marc Ingla and sports director Txiki Begiristain were all mentioned as possible participants in the talks.

After the meeting, Roberto gave a short and vague comment to Catalan radio station COM Ràdio: "It has been a while since we saw each other, but everything is going well." Barcelona board member and spokesperson Alfons Godall didn't comment on the meeting and didn't even want to confirm that it actually took place.

The Catalan sports papers meanwhile report that one of the issues discussed and agreed upon during the meeting was that Ronaldinho will leave through the front door. There won't be mutual reproaches, that only could damage the image of the player and the club. And if the player recovers on time from his injury, Ronaldinho will be able to say goodbye to the fans wearing the blaugrana shirt.

It was supposedly Roberto who proposed the idea of a farewell match. Barcelona was open to the suggestion as they realize that Ronaldinho has been one of the greatest players in the history of Barcelona and the club doesn't want another star player to leave with a fight. The last home game of the season, on May 11th against Mallorca, could be the chosen day.

If Barcelona would qualify for the Champions League final in Moscow, Ronaldinho could play as a substitute. After the season the club will organize a last press conference where Ronaldinho would take his leave of the club, the fans and the city in the presence of president Joan Laporta, sports director Txiki Begiristain and manager Frank Rijkaard.

3. Barcelona - Milan
(this part will be published tomorrow)