Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has defended striker Samuel Eto`o`s recent comments that he felt undervalued at the Nou Camp.
The Cameroon international spoke out to slam reports claiming he was envious of Barca team-mate Ronaldinho following the Brazilian`s recent Ballon d`Or success, but hinted that he was not appreciated enough for the work he has done for the Catalan giants over the past season and a half.
However Rijkaard refused to condemn the player and claims Eto`o always thinks of the team as a whole and his comments might well have been misconstrued.
In a
press conference Rijkaard, who has just returned to the club after a 10-day absence due to a nasty chest infection, said: "He has detected a certain element of being in favour of some and against others. Some have said that what he has said might affect us, but no, that is not so.
"It cannot affect the group at all because we are very united. What I sense in Samuel`s message is that he wants us all to go for things as one, but perhaps he didn`t say it quite like that.
"What is clear is that Samuel Eto`o is honest, and his declarations cannot damage the group or its work. His words should not be misinterpreted."
