Barca chief fears for Ronnie

The South American has been in breathtaking form this term, proving the hit of the Spanish season following his move from Paris Saint Germain last summer.

He demonstrated his audacious skills by setting up Barca's winner against arch rivals Real Madrid last Sunday with an outrageous scooped pass to Xavi.

It was a glimpse of the kind of form that has mesmorised Camp Nou all campaign, but Laporta is fearful that his displays will have caught the eyes of Europe's big spenders.

The Barca supremo is adamant that the club will not entertain the thought of selling the 24-year-old, but conceded that the fortunes of Chelsea chief Abramovich could tempt the player.

"The will of the board is to do everything possible to keep Ronaldinho," Laporta told Catalunya Radio.

"But I am also aware it will not be easy because teams who can put a lot of money in front of Barca will want him, but this does not worry me because we won't sell him.

"I understand that they will make the player substantial offers, but I am confident that he understands that he is very highly considered at Barcelona.

"It is a pride for us to have him and he's a hero for the whole city, here we consider him a person for his human quality.

"He's the master of his own decisions and of his own person.

"If he takes notice of some proposals that he is offered, the player could cease to have his great human quality."

In a clear reference to Abramovich, he continued: "A petrol magnate or an Arab sheikh could come along (with a lot of money for Roanldinho), but he would then cease to be master of his own person.

"But I have faith in him, he still has a contract for four years."