Talking to Panenka magazine, 2005 Ballon
d'Or winner Ronaldinho opened up on his friendship with Lionel Messi while at
Barcelona. The Brazilian enjoyed a fruitful five-year spell at the Camp Nou
between 2003 and 2008, winning two La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League
title and two Spanish Super Cups with the club. He is still revered by many
Barcelona fans till date. Messi emerged and flourished as Barcelona's new star
after Ronaldinho left the club. Ronaldinho took Messi under his wing once Messi
joined the Barcelona first team.
Ronaldinho told Panenka magazine:
"When I arrived at Barcelona, there was already talk of a kid who stood
out.
"Then we were friends; we started playing together and
we got on very well.
"He arrived being different to the others, and we spoke
with [Frank] Rijkaard so that he came to train with us - it was all very fast.
"I was lucky enough to give him the pass for his first
goal.
"Over time, it's very nice to see someone who starts
out so close [to you] and then conquers the world.
"We were always very close. We learned things, he
taught me Spanish and I taught him Portuguese, but with the ball, we understood
each other perfectly.
"I'd be left amazed by how calm he is. That's something
I love about him; he never gets into trouble, he's always with his family and
those closest to him.
"Leo has everything, he didn't need anything from
me."
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