Maradona on Ronnie and Barca

Argentine legend Diego Armando Maradona has lifted the shroud over his silence over the tenacious fiasco over the FC Barcelona-Ronaldinho-AC Milan transfer saga and has hit at the Catalan giants for trying to get rid of the 28-year old Brazilian ace.

Barcelona have declared his wish to sell Ronaldinho for a healthy amount and although talks with Milan were reported to have broken down last month, there have been a sudden resurgence of interest between the two clubs.

Ronaldinho endured the worst season of his Barcelona career this time and was even dropped from the squad by the Barcelona outgoing coach Frank Rijkaard. He is thought to be disinterested in continuing his career at Barca and wants to leave.

But Maradona, himself a former Barca player and who starred for the Blaugrana in the early 1980s, blasted Barcelona for trying to do away with Ronaldinho and insists that Barca must try and persuade Ronnie to stay on at Camp Nou.

Maradona said:

"Nothing has changed! Ronaldinho is a player of great type, and one too good to be criticised.

"Barcelona must retain 'Dinho because if he goes to Milan or another team, he'll strike back by scoring three against Barcelona."