Ronaldinho reveals real reason behind his departure from Barcelona

CAIRO –16 October 2017: Ronaldinho, the former Brazilian football legend, said he had left Barcelona on his own free will, adding that he had a good friendship with Pep Guardiola, who was the head coach for the Blaugrana at that time.

The press reports indicated that Ronaldinho had left Barcelona in 2008 and joined AC Milan because of Guardiola's decision then to dispense with the Brazilian star alongside Deco and Samuel Eto'o.

But in Ronaldinho's interview with the Catalan channel “TV3”, he said, “My departure from Barcelona was my personal decision, because I achieved everything with the team and I was looking for a new challenge.”

He added, “I have a good relationship with Pep Guardiola, because my brother was working with him at Nike.”

“It was clear to everyone that I wanted to take on a new challenge somewhere else, and Barcelona would always be my favorite place,” he said.

“When he joined the first team he was very young and I loved him very much, and now we are friends, and I was happy after I assisted his first goal,” he said when asked about assisting the first goal for Lionel Messi.

When he asked about his former coach Rijkaard, he said, “He was the best coach I've ever worked with. He was calm, and everyone did not feel the timing of his presence as coach.”

“I reject the comparison between Rijkaard and Guardiola,” he said, adding, “In both cases, Barcelona won titles and was at good form.”

It is noteworthy that Ronaldinho participated with Barcelona in 207 appearances, and he scored 94 goals.