Ronaldinho shouldn't play in Copa says Barca president

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will likely have to do without Brazilian star Ronaldinho, seen here 03 March 2007, for Saturday's La Liga showdown at the Nou Camp against Real Madrid.

Spanish champions Barcelona on Saturday expressed their wish on Saturday that two-time world footballer of the year Ronaldinho be spared from playing in this summer's Copa America in Venezuela.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta told the Spanish press that he believed it was better for the player he did not play in the Copa, which gets underway on June 26.

"It would be better if Ronaldinho didn't play in the Copa America," said Laporta.

Barcelona are in with a shout of reaching the Spanish Cup final - they have a two legged semi-final date with Getafe - which is on June 23 and would like to have Ronaldinho as well as their other Latin American stars Argentina's Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola and Rafael Marquez of Mexico available.

According to the Spanish press, Ronaldinho hopes to take an extended holiday after the season finishes as he feels exhausted after playing so much over the past two years.

Ronaldinho has apparently even come to an agreement with Brazil coach, Dunga, and will not be selected, according to Spanish sports daily Marca.

However this has not been confirmed from the Brazil camp, who are presently in Sweden preparing for their friendly match against Chile on Saturday.