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.  

'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.  

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.'