Few players have left as lasting an impression on Barcelona as Ronaldinho, who is regarded as one of the most gifted players to grace a football pitch in the 21st century.
Speaking to France Football (h/t Mundo Deportivo). the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner opened up about his years at the Camp Nou, the players who excite him in the current squad, and the moment he knew his time in Catalonia was going to be something special.
Ronaldinho on Barcelona career
Ronaldinho’s first goal for Barcelona came in the most unusual of circumstances. The match against Sevilla kicked off at 00:05 on September 3, 2003.
It was a legal workaround at the time that allowed him to feature before departing with the Brazilian national team. The club handed out gazpacho, sausages and chocolate to entice 80,000 fans to the stadium in the early hours.
“I always joke that it was my moment!” he laughed, referencing both the late kick-off and his well-known reputation as a night owl. “From that first day, I knew something big was happening.”
Barcelona ended a prolonged title drought with Ronaldinho at the heart of everything, his joy and brilliance lifting the entire club.
Ronaldinho is a huge fan of Raphinha. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“I experienced magical moments in Barcelona. I won extraordinary trophies with great players by my side. It was a wonderful time,” he said.
“It was a dream come true. I have no words to describe the emotion I felt at that moment and everything it meant to me,” he added.
Ronaldinho on Yamal and Raphinha
Turning to the current Barcelona squad, Ronaldinho singled out two players for special praise.
“Lamine Yamal is only at the beginning of a career that has started very strong, he is capable of making incredible plays, and I hope he continues to delight us,” he said.
The Brazilian football legend also heaped praise on his compatriot Raphinha, even admitting that he is a huge fan of the former Leeds United star.
“I have known him since childhood; he is from the same city, I consider myself a friend of his father and I am one of his biggest fans,” he concluded.
