Ronaldinho agent calms transfer talk

Ronaldinho's brother has dismissed talk that he is prepared to invoke a FIFA ruling in order to allow the player to leave Barcelona this summer.

Amid constant rumours over the Brazilian superstar's future, Roberto de Assis, who is also Ronaldinho's agent, moved to clarify quotes he made earlier in the week.

According to the Blaugrana hero's representative, he merely stated that he knew about article 17 of FIFA's rules that allows players to buy out the remainder of their contract under certain circumstances.

"It's not that we intended to go to FIFA and use article 17 to free Ronnie from his contract," he said. "What I said was merely a response to a question asking if we were aware of this legislation."

As the speculation gathered pace, stories suddenly appeared about the possibility that Ronaldinho could end up playing for Real Madrid is he left Camp Nou.

"It is not true, there has been nothing between us and them," De Assis added.