Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has been hailed as the “best player ever” ahead of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi, according to Gerard Deulofeu.
The 41-year-old Brazilian superstar created an enduring legacy in the sport and achieved incredible success in his remarkable playing career.
Ronaldinho, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona, lifted two La Liga titles and a Champions League during his five seasons at the Camp Nou.
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The ex-Barcelona ace left the La Liga club in 2008 and went on to play for AC Milan, with Ronaldinho lifting a Serie A title during his three seasons at the San Siro.
Ronaldinho’s phenomenal success on the pitch for club translated to his time on the field with Brazil with a 1999 Copa America title and 2002 World Cup triumph.
Deulofeu, 27, came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and only managed 23 appearances across two separate spells at the Spanish club.
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The Udinese player played alongside Messi during his time at the Camp Nou, but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is not the GOAT of football for Deulofeu.
“For me, Ronaldinho is the best player ever,” he told Marca in 2020.
“I met him. I went to watch a game at the Camp Nou and he was sitting next to me. It was a wonderful experience.”
Messi, 34, hoovered up a staggering club-record 35 trophies at Barcelona and created an incredible legacy during his 16-year senior career at the Camp Nou.
The Argentine forward, who left Barcelona last summer on a free transfer, insisted that Ronaldinho made a huge impact at the Camp Nou after his arrival in 2003.
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“Ronaldinho was responsible for the change in Barca. It was a bad time and the change that came about with his arrival was amazing,” Messi said.
“In the first year, he didn’t win anything but people fell in love with him.
“Then the trophies started coming and he made all those people happy. Barca should always be grateful for everything he did.”
Topics: Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, Spain, Football
Adnan Riaz