Ronaldinho turned 43 on the 21st. Memories of his magic

“Ronaldinho was more talented than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Deco said as reported by ESPN. “When we didn’t know what to do, he would create chances to score.” …sometimes he did things that I never saw anyone else do. When we’d be winning the game, we’d start to enjoy ourselves and he’d bring it all out.”(Deco)

“Ronaldinho is the biggest idol in football for me. [ . . . ] In my opinion, I think that Ronaldinho, at that time [between 2003 and 2005], was bigger than Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi make a lot of goals, but what Ronaldinho used to do was unbelievable. He used to be amazing on the field, and also scored a lot of goals. As his fan, I think he stopped [playing at the top level] a little early. If he continued to play [like earlier in his career] he would certainly be three, four, five times in a row the best player in the world. He was two times [the best player in the world], and then I don’t know what happened, but if he wanted to continue that way, he would certainly be five times in a row the best in the world.” (Diego Maradona)

“Ronaldinho was responsible for the change in Barça. It was a bad time and the change that came about with his arrival was amazing. 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. Barça should always be grateful for everything he did.” (Lionel Messi)

More quotes and reflections on Ronaldinho here