Barça dreamland

"When I came here my aim was to win important competitions like the Spanish league and the Champions League and now I am closer to realising that dream," the Brazilian said on Wednesday, a week before his side meet Arsenal in the final.

"Before I came here there were other clubs that were interested, but I wanted to look for a team and a place which I could adapt to rapidly and one that was better for my sporting career. I'm very happy that I made that decision. I'm enjoying myself a great deal here."

The 26-year-old playmaker joined Barcelona from Paris St Germain for a fee of $25 million in 2003 despite interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid.

His arrival at the Nou Camp revived a club that was in crisis and Ronaldinho led Barcelona to their first league title in six years in 2005.

The Catalans retained their title last week and now have the opportunity to win their second European Cup in Paris.

Ronaldinho said that playing the final in the French capital, his first destination when he came to Europe from Brazil, would make the occasion particularly memorable.

"It's special to be returning to a city I love and playing in the final of the Champions League which is one of the biggest events there is and that makes me even happier."

Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o said he would relish the challenge of unlocking Arsenal's bullet-proof defence which has set a record by not conceding a goal in its last 10 Champions League matches.

"We know that it is going to be hard to break down their defence, but if we want to win it we have to score and Barcelona is the team that has scored most goals in the Champions League," said the Cameroon international.

"Barcelona have proved that they are one of the best teams in the world at the moment and if we want to keep improving we have to win this Champions League."

"We are heading into the match with the aim of winning it, but at the same time we know that we are playing a team that will be very difficult to beat."

Deco, the only player in the Barcelona squad to have won a European Cup, stressed the side must stick with its attacking style.

"What we can do is keep faith with the way we've played all year and not change too much in the final," said the Portugal international who won with Porto in 2004.

"The only extra thing we need to do is to make sure that we are completely focused on the game and just concentrate on playing the way we know we can."

The midfielder said the experience of losing to Chelsea in the first knockout round of last season's competition had helped Barcelona this season.

"The team has matured a lot since last season. We not only know how to play well, but also how to control games. We have learnt how to defend well too and the experience of last season has taught us that."