Ronaldinho explains how he joined Barcelona rather than Manchester United in 2003

Ronaldinho has explained how and why he joined Barcelona rather than Manchester United when he left Paris Saint-Germain in 2003. The former World Player of the Year, who is currently owned by Querétaro, claims that his desire to follow in the path of fellow Brazilians Ronaldo, Romario and Rivaldo, plus the influence of Sandro Rosell, […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-12-04 01:31:00

Ronaldinho has explained how and why he joined Barcelona rather than Manchester United when he left Paris Saint-Germain in 2003.

The former World Player of the Year, who is currently owned by Querétaro, claims that his desire to follow in the path of fellow Brazilians Ronaldo, Romario and Rivaldo, plus the influence of Sandro Rosell, had a big an impact on his final decision.

"Everything was beautiful and it all happened so fast. Sandro Rosell, a great friend of mine, was about to become part of the Barcelona board," he told El Enganche.

"Before the offers came in he’d asked me if I would play for Barcelona when they [Rosell and Joan Laporta] won the elections and became Presidents, and I said ‘yes’.

"I was almost on the way to Manchester United and only the small details were needed to conclude the agreement. But at the last minute Rosell called to tell me they would win the elections and that made things happen quickly.

"I wanted to play for Barça. When I signed I didn’t feel under any pressure, I just felt joy. I had the chance all footballers would want, to play at a great club like Barcelona.

"It was a chance to follow in the footsteps of my idols. I was proud to play where Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo had played and it was an opportunity to become the club’s new ‘R’. I loved that."

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sambafoot_admin
Dec 04, 2014