Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho revealed why former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard is the best coach ever he worked with during his illustrious playing career.
The 39-year-old Brazilan legend arrived at Camp Nou in 2003 from Paris Saint-Germain after the La Liga Champions outbid Manchester United for his signature in a €30 million deal but the Porto Alegre-born attacking midfielder become a superstar under Dutchman coach.
Ronaldinho went to spent five seasons at the Nou Camp, winning two La Liga titles, two Supercopa de España and UEFA Champions League where he was known for scoring brilliant goals, creating assists and also his excellent styles of dribbling.
The 2002 FIFA World Cup winner told Panenka magazine he said: “He’s a great coach, a very quiet guy, the best I’ve ever worked with.
“He knew everything because he played at the highest level, and that made things easy for us.
“Everything he asked us to do, he has already done it before, so he spoke to us in a very simple and direct way.
“He gave me a lot of freedom to play my football. When we didn’t have the ball, we also had to fulfil our obligations. But when we had it, he made me feel completely free,”
Ronaldinho turned down a £25.5 million offer from Manchester City 2008 to join Italian Serie A giants A.C. Milan as he went to win Serie A same season.
