In a revealing interview with Ona FM, Rijkaard answered all questions put to him about Ronaldinho and declared: "It is not a change in my thinking. I make decisions on what I see in previous games. In football, it isn't the coach who leaves players like Ronaldinho on the bench, but the player himself.

"I didn't talk to him (about leaving Ronaldinho on the bench for games against Lyon and Espanyol) until after the games. Ronaldinho has always behaved properly. Now he must shake himself and again prove to everyone the great player he is.

"And he is already doing this.

"This is my decision. Nothing has come from higher up.

"I am working so we can see the best Ronaldinho again. There are moments in the life of a player when they must fight against circumstances and react with heart and passion for the sake of their career."