At Barcelona, he may have forged a reputation as one of the most talented playmakers the planet has ever seen, proving to be the catalyst for their 2006 Champions League triumph. With each trademarked 'elastico', and lightning-quick step-over, defenders were left flummoxed by the genius' art. Throughout the summer of 2003, Ronaldinho was hot property, and involved at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. Ultimately, the Mancunians have only themselves to blame for offsetting the Selecao star's move to the Nou Camp, as the Barcelona president had originally promised to bring David Beckham to Catalonia. Once those plans were scuppered, with Ferguson choosing to sell the England captain to Real Madrid, Barcelona swiftly turned their attentions to the brightest young playmaker in world football - who just happened to be Manchester United's number one target. United's bid to sign the player failed, even offering Fabien Barthez as part of the deal, with Barcelona's £21 million appearing more enticing to the PSG board, and indeed to Ronaldinho himself. Since claiming that he was a matter of '48 hours from signing for the club' but for the invention of Sandro Rosell, Peter Kenyon and co. were left exasperated.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
