'Touched by God!' - prime Ronaldinho was a MUCH better player than Lionel Messi

Brazil legend Ronaldinho in his prime years was “touched by God” and was a better player than Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi, according to Martin Cardetti.

Ronaldinho, who is regarded as one of the best players of all time, enjoyed both a prolific playing career with the Brazil international team and at club level.

The 42-year-old Brazilian superstar lifted both a Copa America trophy and World Cup title with Brazil, with Ronaldinho also crowned a Ballon d’Or winner in 2005.

Ronaldinho played alongside Messi at Barcelona after the Argentine bust onto the scene, with the Brazilian having a lasting impact during his spell at the Camp Nou.

During his five seasons with the La Liga club, the 2002 World Cup winner lifted two top-flight Spanish league titles and a Champions League.

Cardetti played alongside Ronaldinho at Paris Saint-Germain in the 2002-03 season before his former teammate completed his sensational £21m move to Barcelona.

The former PSG player, who has since become manager of Colombian side Real Cartagena, hailed the influence of Ronaldinho during his brief time with him.

Cardetti revealed that he would pick Ronaldinho over Messi for his team, with the Argentine a huge admirer of the former Barcelona and AC Milan star’s work ethic.

“As a coach, for my team, I would choose Ronaldinho at his best over Messi,” he told El Crack Deportivo in 2020, as per Marca.

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“I shared a year with Ronaldinho and he is a different player, he’s touched by God.

“He always had fun, with the ball he was always doing things and he practiced a lot so that he could replicate those things in matches.”

Messi has etched his name in the history books, much like Ronaldinho, thanks to his legendary playing career for both club and country.

The 35-year-old Argentine forward’s record-holding seven Ballon d’Or wins trump Ronaldinho’s one win, with Messi in contention for winning his eighth award in 2023.

READ MORE:

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• Ronaldinho refused to name Lionel Messi as outright GOAT and claimed three players are better than him
• Fans think Ronaldinho is responsible for ‘best pass ever seen on a football pitch’

The PSG star also silenced his harshest critics over his lack of success with Argentina, with Messi lifting the Copa America title in 2021.

Messi followed up his Copa America triumph by leading his country to the 2022 World Cup trophy in Qatar, with the Barcelona legend taking home the Golden Ball.