体坛英语新闻：Barcelona's title hopes take a hit with injuries

Barcelona's Ronaldinho sits on the pitch during their Champions League first knockout round, second leg soccer match against Celtic Glasgow at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona March 4, 2008. Ronaldinho was left off the list of the Brazilian national team who will play in London against Sweden in a soccer friendly on March 26. 

Ronaldinho is not injured but is to follow a specific program to recover from his "medical problems", Barcelona's medical services have said.

    The Brazil forward missed the 2-2 draw away to Almeria in the Spanish Primera Liga on Sunday, with coach Frank Rijkaard saying the player was left out of the squad because he was injured.

    The 27-year-old playmaker only trained for six minutes on Monday before leaving the club's training pitches.

    "As a result of a persistent problem in the adductor muscle of the right leg the player has had a scan which revealed there is no muscle or tendon injury," Barca's medical services said in a statement on the club's Website.

    "The player will receive specific treatment to solve the medical problems that remain."

    No time period was given for how long Ronaldinho would be laid low.

    Barcelona visits Valencia for their Copa del Rey semifinal, second leg match tomorrow, with the tie level at 1-1.

    Ronaldinho is a doubt but Portugal midfielder Deco is definitely ruled out with a calf strain. "The player will work on a specific recovery plan to be ready for the Champions League quarterfinal match against Schalke 04," the statement said.

Barcelona's Ronaldinho gestures after losing their Spanish first division soccer match against Villarreal at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, March 9, 2008.

    Meanwhile, another Brazilian Ronaldo is paying very little attention to Pele's prediction that he will not fully recover from his latest knee injury.

    Pele on Friday said it would be "difficult" for Ronaldo to recover and return to his level of play.

    "I'm actually glad he said that," Ronaldo told Radio Globo on Sunday night. "We all know Pele is known for making wrong predictions about everything. It usually happens the opposite of what he says."

    Ronaldo said he was not upset. "I know he is an idol and is asked about all subjects," Ronaldo said. "Sometimes that puts him in difficult situations."

    On Sunday, friend and former Real Madrid teammate Zinedine Zidane said he is confident Ronaldo will overcome the knee injury.