Barcelona warn Chelsea: Ronaldinho is not for sale

Reports have been linking the 27-year-old Brazilian with a move to Stamford Bridge.

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.”