FCBARCELONA.CAT

20.03.2007 15:58

Zico praises Rijkaard’s Barça

The former Brazilian national coach and current manager of Fenerbahçe, Zico, has commented on the quality football played by FC Barcelona. He has congratulated Rijkaard for putting together such a great side and finding the right role for Ronaldinho.

Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as 'Zico', is impressed with everything Frank Rijkaard has achieved at FC Barcelona. “He was one of the best midfielders I have ever seen” said the Brazilian legend. “He is a great person who I had the honour of meeting along with Van Basten. We chatted for a while in ’98, when we were coaching Holland and Brazil respectively. Given the way he thinks about football, and how he played in midfield, he had to become a great coach. He has put together a Barcelona team that plays very well, that plays perfectly, and that plays competitively.”

Ronaldinho

The former Brazil boss was speaking to Barça TV, and described Ronaldinho as “a marvellous player, I admire the way he plays, because he is so precise, and because he knows that at any time he can produce an amazing move to delight us all”.

Zico added that “another positive thing is that Rijkaard knew how to find the right position for Ronaldinho to be important to the team. That is one of Barcelona’s greatest achievements. He is a player no manager would want to turn down”.

Brazilian tradition

The former Brazil international claims the fortunes of FC Barcelona are closely followed in his native country. “It’s only logical for so many Brazilians to like Barça so much because it is a club where so many Brazilians have done well” he said. “Especially Evaristo, who is now a great manager. He was one the best players at Flamengo, and eventually left for Barcelona and became a local hero there. And there were so many others who played for Barcelona, like Ronaldo, Rivaldo and now Ronaldinho. As a Brazilian, I am thrilled to see that so many great players have done so well there, like now with players like Sylvinho, Ronaldinho and Deco himself”.