Ronaldinho taken to task over late nights

Ronaldinho taken to task over late nights

BARCELONA (AFP) - Ronaldinho's love of the good life was the target of criticism by the media here Sunday after he missed Saturday's win over Sevilla.

"Attention Ronnie" was the headline in the La Vanguardia, with the catalan daily recalling the fates of the late George Best and Paul Gascoigne who were unable to resist "the easy life" and a drink.

The paper revealed on Friday that the Brazil striker, below par since the start of the season, had been seen in a night club until the early hours two days before Barcelona's mediocre goalless draw with Osasuna.

"It's regrettable that a great player loses himself because of his personal life," the daily commented.

Ronaldinho's extra curricular activities are causing concern at Barcelona, with club president Joan Laporta saying they need to help him, and manager Frank Rijkaard calling on him to "react".

The 2005 Footballer of the Year blamed a problem with his right leg for not playing on Saturday in a game in which the young Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi starred with two goals.

"They play better without Ronaldinho," sports daily Marca claimed on its frontpage, adding that unless he changed his behaviour he'd be heading for the exit.

The 27-year-old arrived at the Camp Nou in 2003, helping the club to two Spanish titles and the 2006 Champions League crown.