09/02/2004 Ronaldinho surprised at free-scoring first season

MADRID, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Barcelona's Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho says he is as surprised as anyone to be scoring so many goals during his first season in Spain.

Barca agreed to pay up to 30 million euros ($38.24 million) to bring Ronaldinho in from Paris St Germain last year and they have been rewarded with a series of spectacular goals.

His overhead kick against Osasuna on Sunday earned the Catalans a 2-1 win that moved them up to fourth place and took his tally for the season to 13 in all competitions, including seven in the league.

"I never expected to score so many goals," he told reporters at Barcelona's training ground on Monday.

"I consider myself to be a passer of the ball rather than a goalscorer and I imagined I'd be helping my team mates score the goals."

Ronaldinho has been following a special fitness programme after suffering a couple of troublesome injuries earlier in the season and he now believes he is getting back close to top form.

"I'm on this training schedule to enable me to play in as many games as possible," he said.

"I started to notice the difference against Osasuna and I now feel well. I should be at my best in the next few games."