15.05.2007 10:22
Ronaldinho scored 400th goal
Sergi Nogueras
When Ronaldinho scored against Real Betis on Sunday, the Brazilian registered FC Barcelona's 400th goal since Frank Rijkaard took over as coach of the club in the summer of 2003.
The first goal was back on August 30, 2003 when Philip Cocu scored the winning effort against
Athletic Club on the opening day of the camaign with his head. Since then there have been an
incredible number of goals to celebrate as the Dutch coach's brand of attacking football has
ensured that the opposition net has continued to billow regularly.
Ronaldinho and Eto'o out in front
Two of the main characters in his incredible goals haul are Ronaldinho and
Samuel Eto'o. Between them they have chalked up 157 of the 400. The Brazilian has scored 82 times
since since from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003-04, while Eto'o, who arrived a year later and has
since missed five months with injury, has netted 75. The third top scorer under Rijkaard has been
Javier Saviola, who has hit 31 goals in a Blaugrana shirt.
Messi moving up the list
Despite not making his official first-team debut
until only two years ago and having suffered two long-term injuries, Lionel Messi is the sixth top
goalscorer in the past four seasons. The Argentinian starlet has scored 20 goals in total, with 15
coming inthe league, three in the Copa del Rey and two in the Champions League. Just behind
Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Saviola are Ludovic Giuly, with 26, and Deco, with 21.
30 different scorers
During Rijkaard's time in charge an incredible 30 players
have scored goal. Along with Ronaldinho and Eto'o the following have also put their name on th
scoresheet: Giuly, Deco, Saviola, Kluivert, Messi, Xavi, Luis Garcia, Cocu, Luis Enrique, Van
Bronckhorst, Iniesta, Larsson, Márquez, Gerard, Overmars, Motta, Maxi López, Gabri, Lent, Davids,
Oleguer, Van Bommel, Ezquerro, Sylvinho, Puyol, Belletti, Gudjohnsen and Zambrotta.