In a wide-ranging interview on TV3 yesterday, Laporta admitted: "Since he arrived here, Ronie has been able to separate his professional life from his private life and has always given us good form.

"If later this hasn't happened, then I have not noticed it, this is something for others to discuss."

On Ronaldinho's possible departure to AC Milan, Laporta commented: "He knows that he needs new challenges and when a cycle finishes the most emblematic people are normally the ones to leave ahead of others.

"I would like him to leave the club in the same fashion as Frank (Rijkaard) has."