"Messi is my teacher, and I am his student!" – Ronaldinho acknowledges the greatness of Lionel Messi

Leo is rightfully regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the sport.

Details: In a recent podcast interview, the 45-year-old former Barcelona and Brazil winger, the “Magician” Ronaldinho, admitted that he considers Lionel Messi the best footballer of all time—and even declared that he himself is Messi's student, not the other way around.

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Ronaldinho also recalled a touching story from Messi's time at PSG:

“When Messi was in Paris and played against Manchester City in the Champions League, I met him before the match, hugged him, and said: ‘You made me proud of you at Barcelona, you brought joy to the whole world, and you are the best.’ Now, I will watch you from the stands—today, you will make me proud in front of all your fans.’ He replied: ‘It’s a great honor for me that you came to today’s match. If I score a goal, it will be for you.’ He went out onto the pitch and scored a beautiful goal. The most touching part was that some spectators turned to me and started congratulating me, as if he were my son. That made me smile, and I felt proud. Some people say that I am his teacher, but in reality, Messi is the teacher, and I am the student. All footballers are students of Messi because they learn football from him.” – Ronaldinho admitted.

Ronaldinho and Messi played together at Barcelona from 2005 to 2008, until the Brazilian left Catalonia for Milan.

In his interviews, Leo has recalled that when he was taking his first steps in professional football, it was Ronaldinho who was his true mentor and friend, helping him adapt to senior football at Barcelona.

In 2018, after three years away from the game, Ronaldinho announced his retirement from football. His last club was Brazil’s Fluminense.

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