Ronaldinho expresses his pride at having returned to Barcelona

Sport 13:47 04.02.2017

Ronaldinho has revealed his immense pride at having been unveiled as the new club ambassador for Barcelona, nearly a decade on from leaving the Nou Camp as one of its greatest ever players.

The flamboyant Brazilian lit up the old stadium at the height of his playing career, and he has now returned to take up a new role to promote the club around the world.

Ronaldinho, who enjoyed five years laden with success between 2003 and 2008, is delighted to have been offered the chance to work in an official capacity once more for the La Liga giants.'I'm very happy,' said Ronaldinho. 'Very few people have the opportunity to say they are a Barcelona ambassador.

'I've missed everything. I spent a lot of time here. I left a lot of friends here, and I haven't been back to the Nou Camp until now. 

'To be back here in an official capacity, the same when I was as a player, people didn't really associate my name with Barca but I've always felt like an ambassador.  

The 36-year-old was officially unveiled in his new position in a presentation at the Nou Camp

'I will continue to take the name of Barca around the world and it will be great to wear the shirt again. Together with my team-mates, we helped put together a great part of the club's history and thanks to God, things turned out well.' 

Ronaldinho won the Champions League and two La Liga titles under Frank Rijkaard before Pep Guardiola opted to sacrifice the forward in order to make Lionel Messi the central focus of his team. 

But the 36-year-old has now returned to Catalonia, officially unveiled at the Nou Camp on Friday by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.  

Ronaldinho celebrates a goal against Werder Bremen during their Champions League in 2006

Current boss Luis Enrique, along with Blaugrana supporters worldwide, welcomed the news of Ronaldinho's return to the fold and he believes it can only be a positive to connect the present with illustrious members of the past. 

'I think it's great for Ronaldinho to be an ambassador for Barca,' Enrique said. 'I had the pleasure to play with him and share a dressing room with him when he came to the club.

'He was a pioneer when it come bringing joy to proceedings and he brought a lot to the club. Linking Barca with happiness is always a good thing.'

The move comes nearly nine years after he left Barca for Italian giants AC Milan, having helped the Spaniards become a European force again.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest and most skilful of his generation, the midfielder was credited with helping Barcelona return to the summit of Spanish football following his arrival from PSG in 2003.

After his Barca departure in 2008, he spent three years in Italy with Milan before returning to Brazil to play for Flamengo.

Spells with Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro and Fluminense followed before he called time on his glittering career in 2015. 

Ronaldinho continued a proud tradition of Brazilians to wear the red and blue of Barcelona, following in the footsteps of Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo - and he spoke glowingly of the current incumbent of the No 11 shirt. 

'Neymar is a phenomenon,' Ronaldinho added. 'He is the biggest thing in Brazilian football at present, he's a good friend of mine, and one of the best players in the world. 

'It is a pride to see a Brazilian making history. I think he'll be here for a long time and will become the best player in the world.'

 

Azerbaijan takes measures to turn Khankandi into safe city - VİDEO

News line

About $7 bln of foreign direct investment was invested in Azerbaijan last year
12:00 29.03.2024
Number of people injured in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack reaches 382
11:48 29.03.2024
Media: Netanyahu rejected the Mossad Chief's proposal for a possible agreement in Gaza
11:37 29.03.2024
Azerbaijani Parliament's meeting kicks off
11:26 29.03.2024
An American couple founded a website, which identifies brands that support Israel
An American couple founded a website, which identifies brands that support Israel
11:07 29.03.2024
US scientists name infection more dangerous for brain than coronavirus
US scientists name infection more dangerous for brain than coronavirus
11:00 29.03.2024
Parviz Shahbazov: Foundations of 4 new renewable energy plants will be laid this year
Parviz Shahbazov: Foundations of 4 new renewable energy plants will be laid this year
10:50 29.03.2024
Japan eyes self-driving expressway lane network
10:40 29.03.2024
Oil prices end 1Q24 with strong growth
10:30 29.03.2024
SECRETS of the European Union's visit to the South Caucasus - Fikret Sadigov EXPLAINS
10:25 29.03.2024
Israeli strikes on Syria kill dozens, security sources say
10:20 29.03.2024
Ammunition found in Khankandi
Ammunition found in Khankandi
10:10 29.03.2024
Iran’s top diplomat: Military presence of third countries in Caspian Sea goes against interests of region
Iran’s top diplomat: Military presence of third countries in Caspian Sea goes against interests of region
10:00 29.03.2024
Armenia officially announces freezing its participation in CSTO
09:50 29.03.2024
US hopes to return to purchase of 72 fighter jets per year amid budget cuts
09:38 29.03.2024
Another 138 IDPs leave for Fuzuli
09:28 29.03.2024
Netanyahu: "We have strategic assets of Hamas"
09:17 29.03.2024
Date of next meeting of Armenian and Azerbaijani Parliament Speakers announced
09:00 29.03.2024
Russia prepares for new offensive in May-June l – says Zelensky
23:52 28.03.2024
Russian investigators have evidence of Ukraine link to Crocus terrorists
22:24 28.03.2024
Committee members of the EU Council will visit the South Caucasus region
19:48 28.03.2024
Bayern to pay Thomas Tuchel 12M euro compensation
Bayern to pay Thomas Tuchel 12M euro compensation
19:00 28.03.2024
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
18:33 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan, UN Development Program mull future co-op
18:00 28.03.2024
An Independent Trade Union Established within International Eurasia Press Fund - First in NGO sector - PHOTOS
17:39 28.03.2024
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
17:23 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan lends clarity to color requirement for taxis
17:02 28.03.2024
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
16:45 28.03.2024
Nigerian army eliminates over 200 militants in 2 weeks
16:30 28.03.2024
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
16:15 28.03.2024
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
15:55 28.03.2024
Türkiye plays an important role between Russia and Ukraine - says political scientist Ismail Cingoz
15:45 28.03.2024
2 schoolchildren detained in France on suspicion of sending bomb threats
15:35 28.03.2024
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
15:26 28.03.2024
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
15:15 28.03.2024
Media: US did not transfer all information about terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall to Russia
15:00 28.03.2024
Movement ‘Together’ calls on Armenia’s parliamentary forces to express vote of no confidence in Pashinyan
14:41 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
14:32 28.03.2024
Le Pen accuses French government of fraud
14:22 28.03.2024
Armenian Government Grapples with Internal Division on Village Return Issue - Ishkhan Verdiyan talks on Ednews
14:12 28.03.2024
Hamısı