Ronaldinho set for EU status

Ronaldinho is set to receive Spanish citizenship early in the New Year.

Spanish clubs are only allowed three non-EU players in their squads according to La Liga rules.

At the start of this season Barca were up to their quota - with Ronaldinho, Rafael Marquez and Samuel Eto'o.

However, Marquez obtained EU status last month and now with Ronaldinho set to - Eto'o will be left as the only non-European in their squad.

This opens up a number of new opportunities to coach Frank Rijkaard - one of which is to promote highly-rated Mexican youth star Giovani Dos Santos from their youth ranks.