Ronaldinho’s Barcelona at its peak

In the recent Netflix documentary miniseries about Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Lionel Messi speaks fondly – and with great gratitude – about the huge role the Brazilian played in his life and career.

Messi made his debut for Barcelona’s first team during the 2004–05 season, at a time when Ronaldinho was not only the club’s biggest star, but also the biggest star in world football.

The Brazilian arrived at Barça in 2003, having joined from Paris Saint-Germain, and quickly became one of the most popular players on the planet. He was one of those stars you simply couldn’t stop watching: improbable dribbles, unbridled creativity and a style of play full of joy. Ronaldinho helped get Barcelona back on track after a turbulent spell, restoring to the team what it needed most: joy and confidence. And, of course, he became an idol – to the fans and to the squad itself.

In 2005, he was crowned with the Ballon d’Or, the culmination of a period in which he had already dominated world football. At Barcelona, he led the team to La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles, having previously been a key player in the Brazilian national team’s fifth World Cup victory in 2002.

But for those who knew him, perhaps what stood out most was not just his talent – but his character. Ronaldinho has always been remembered as a generous person, both on and off the pitch, willing to share the limelight rather than hog it.

The rise of a shy youngster

And it was against this backdrop that Messi emerged – an Argentine lad from the youth ranks, brimming with talent but still shy, seeking his place and confidence. Ronaldinho saw something familiar in him: technique, vision, creativity – but also humility and a tremendous desire to grow.

And he decided to take him under his wing.

At that time, a giant club like Barcelona could be a rather intimidating environment for a young newcomer. The club had a very strong hierarchy within the squad, and the younger players had to earn their place bit by bit. Ronaldinho himself has said that the youth players used to do favours for the more experienced players – fetching coffee, water – and were sometimes the target of teasing and bullying. The dressing room was divided into distinct groups, and breaking these unwritten rules was not always looked upon favourably.

But Ronaldinho was never one to follow rules just because “that’s how it’s always been”.

The gesture that changed everything

In the documentary, Messi recalls a simple moment that changed everything: he was alone in the dressing room when Ronaldinho arrived and said, quite naturally: “Come and sit with us over there. You don’t need to stay here.” (Ronaldinho Gaúcho – Netflix)

The gesture was not merely symbolic – the Brazilian lobbied internally for the club to allow Messi to train with the first team, and made this clear to Juanjo Castillo, who was responsible for liaising between the youth players and the first-team squad. Shortly afterwards, manager Frank Rijkaard promoted the Argentine to the professional squad for good.

Ronaldinho celebrated the decision.

After all, he had an almost instinctive conviction: Messi would be the best in the world.

The faith in Messi

Before his death, NBA legend Kobe Bryant recalled a memorable story about the Brazilian – who was a friend of his – and about the first time he met Messi. According to Kobe: “A long time ago, Barcelona came to Los Angeles. Ronaldinho, who is a good friend of mine, was talking to me and said: ‘Kobe, look, I’m going to introduce you to the guy who will be the best player of all time.’ I replied: ‘What about you? You’re the best.’ But he said: ‘No, this lad will be the best.’ And it was Lionel Messi, aged just 17.” (Gazeta Esportiva)

It was Ronaldinho’s confidence that ultimately proved decisive in securing Messi’s place in the first-team squad. And, more than that, it gave rise to a rare relationship in football: a blend of friendship, mentorship and mutual admiration.

Messi still recalls the importance of that welcome, especially at such a delicate stage in his life: “He was the most important player in the dressing room. And the way he approached me, how he treated me... On the first day, he told me that everything would be easier, to relax, enjoy the games and be part of that dressing room. I’m very grateful and have a special affection for him.” (Ronaldinho Gaúcho – Netflix)

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An image that became a symbol

On 1 May 2005, in a La Liga match against Albacete, Messi scored his first professional goal for Barcelona – and, in doing so, went down in history as the youngest player to find the net for the club at that time.

And the assist? Of course, it was his: Ronaldinho.

Messi remembers that move well and the almost selfless way in which the Brazilian set him up: “He could have done a lot of things in that move, but he chose to wait and give me the assist.” (FIFA)

The celebration became an iconic image, splashed across newspapers worldwide: the young Messi on the back of Ronaldinho, already established as one of football’s greatest stars. A perfect snapshot of that moment – Brazilian brilliance meeting Argentine potential.

Messi describes the scene with the same emotion as someone who still relives it in slow motion: “The celebration was very spontaneous, very natural. We got close, and he carried me on his back. I was on cloud nine. It felt like a dream, scoring a goal at Camp Nou, being there, having come on at that moment. I climbed onto his back, and we went round the world.” (Ronaldinho Gaúcho – Netflix)

That goal would be just the first in an incredible story: in total, Messi would score 672 goals in a Barcelona shirt throughout his career.

And the image ended up taking on greater significance over time – almost like a passing of the torch.

Messi appears ecstatic, celebrating his first goal at Camp Nou in a Barcelona shirt. Ronaldinho, for his part, is also beaming – not just because of the goal itself, but out of pride at seeing a young teammate and friend experiencing that moment.

The Brazilian himself has commented on this in his usual unassuming manner: “It filled me with joy to see a young man, my friend, doing well in his first game, that first goal. And by happiness and luck, the pass for his goal came from my foot.” (ESPN)

Even Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, highlighted the symbolic significance of the moment: “I think the gesture was very meaningful and exceptional. The best player in the world at the time is the first to help someone he sees as his potential successor.” (Ronaldinho Gaúcho – Netflix)

And this idea of a “passing of the torch” – based entirely on Ronaldinho’s unshakeable conviction that Messi would become one of the world’s greatest players – has been confirmed over the years.

The “Boy from Rosario” grew to become one of the greatest players in football history, amassing titles for club and country and a collection of individual awards, including a record eight Ballon d’Ors.

In 2018, Ronaldinho reiterated what he had always believed: “Messi is the greatest in history, without a doubt. No one has done what he has done.” (Terra)

Perhaps it really was a kind of intuition – one star recognising another, even at the very start of his journey.

A friendship that endured

Together, Ronaldinho and Messi were part of one of Barcelona’s most memorable periods, winning two consecutive La Liga titles and, most notably, the 2006 Champions League – the club’s first in 14 years.

After that, their paths diverged. In July 2008, Ronaldinho left Barça and moved to Milan. It was five unforgettable seasons in Catalonia, but the end turned out to be more turbulent, with injuries and criticism of his life off the pitch.

Messi, who has always made a point of acknowledging the Brazilian’s role at the start of his career, made it clear just how much he was upset by the way Ronaldinho’s departure was handled: “He didn’t deserve that after what he did for the club, after changing the history of Barcelona.” (FIFA)

And, perhaps even more personally, there remained the sense of what might have been: “I would have liked to have matured for a couple more years with him.” (FIFA)

Because, in the end, that’s what it was: a short but decisive partnership. One of those that isn’t measured in time, but in impact.

Even though they didn’t share the pitch for very long, Ronaldinho and Messi maintained a close relationship over the years. In 2021, the Brazilian summed it up thus: “I have a very good friendship with Leo, a very beautiful, very genuine one. Because from the start we’ve always been who we are, without putting on any airs. [...] Whenever we meet, it’s always the same; the affection is always the same. Not just with him, but with his whole family, we get on really well. We’re friends, not just football teammates.” (ESPN)

Two paths, one shared legacy

Today, Ronaldinho is 46 and has been retired from football for over a decade. After leaving Barcelona in 2008, he never again wore the club’s shirt in a professional capacity.

Messi, meanwhile, at 38, is in the final stretch of his career. After leaving Barcelona in 2021, he moved to Inter Miami and is now preparing for what could be his last World Cup with Argentina.

The pair have never played for the same team again.

But the bond they forged back then has not faded with time. On the contrary – it has endured, remained strong and stayed intact, like those rare connections in football that depend neither on a contract, nor on a particular phase, nor on a club.

Much is said about the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina in football, but this story shows precisely the opposite: how one of the greatest Brazilian players of all time helped to boost the career of one of Argentina’s greatest legends.

Ronaldinho reached the pinnacle of world football and, whenever he could, chose to take others with him – rather than simply taking centre stage alone.

And one of those ‘others’ was a shy teenager, brimming with talent but still searching for confidence. Over time, this boy would go on to take centre stage in world football and go down in history as one of the greatest players of all time.

That iconic image of Ronaldinho, already a legend, carrying Messi on his back after his first goal for Barcelona, ended up being more than just a beautiful photo. It became a snapshot of a rare moment in sport: the meeting between a rising genius and another already established, yet generous enough to make room.

Ultimately, the relationship between the two goes beyond club or generation. It is a reminder that football is not just about titles and rivalries – it also builds bridges, creates bonds and leaves a human mark that transcends borders, cultures and time.

Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi at Barcelona