BARCELONA , Spain -- Barcelona are ready for twice world player of the year Ronaldinho to move on , said club president Joan Laporta . Ronaldinho is expected to leave Barcelona this summer after struggling for form last season . Laporta told the Catalan TV3 station that the Brazilian midfielder , who struggled with injuries and poor form last season , needed new challenges in his career . `` When the wheel turns , it 's normal that the key figures leave , '' Laporta said . `` I would like Ronaldinho to be given a great send-off so that he is remembered for all he has given us and that if he did n't do any more it was because the circumstances would n't allow it . `` Last year , we thought that it might be the year to sell him , but given his enthusiasm and the appreciation that a club like Barcelona needs to have , we decided to let him stay on . Things have n't turned out the way he wanted them to . '' Laporta recognized that it might not be easy to sell Ronaldinho , who suffered a series of injury and fitness problems this season and made the starting line-up in only 13 of 38 league matches . Ronaldinho last played for Barcelona in the 2-1 loss at home to Villarreal on March 9 , has suffered muscle pain in his right leg been out of action ever since . AC Milan showed an interest in signing him and his brother Robert De Assis said personal terms had been agreed . But the clubs failed to reach agreement over a transfer fee . After a second successive season without a trophy Barcelona announced on May 7 that Rijkaard would leave at the end of the season and be replaced by former player Josep Guardiola . `` We decided that if Frank did not continue then we would choose Guardiola because Pep possessed the necessary humility , '' said Laporta . `` We did n't think about coaches like Mourinho or ( Rafa ) Benitez , who are both great coaches , but are n't right for Barcelona . So we told Rijkaard that when he left Guardiola would take his place . '' Barca 's arch-rivals Real Madrid , who lifted another Spanish title this season , have signed their first newcomer for the next campaign by paying a reported 10 million euros ( $ 15.5 million ) for Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander . Marca newspaper said the 21-year-old Argentine had signed a six-year contract . Meanwhile , reports that Real could be making a move for Manchester United 's Cristiano Ronaldo were dismissed by coach Bernd Schuster . `` I prefer to spend my time talking about things that have some bearing to reality , '' he told a press conference . Marca had reported that Real were still interested in buying Ronaldo who has put off all talk of his future until after the Champions League final .
Barcelona are ready to let Brazilian international Ronaldinho leave the club . Club president Joan Laporta said that Ronaldinho needs new challenges . Barcelona have already replaced striker Frank Rijkaard with Pep ##e .