Ronaldinho Writes Brilliant Letter to His 8-Year-Old Self

Brazil legend Ronaldinho has reflected on his illustrious career by writing a brilliant letter to his 8-year-old self.

Personally, we reckon everything turned out not too bad for the former Ballon d'Or winner, but it seems Ronnie thinks his younger alter-ego could do with a bit of advice.

In the note, posted on the Players' Tribune website, the 36-year-old references his time at PSG, Milan, Barcelona and playing alongside Leo Messi.

Moreover, he goes on to talk about playing football with his dog and details how he was heartbroken upon discovering the death of his father.

He also writes about what he's most proud of in football and, to be fair, helping the modern day Barcelona side rediscover its attacking flair is not too bad.

He writes:

"Stay free, and you'll win a Ballon d'Or.

"What you'll be most proud of, though, is helping to change football in Barcelona through your style of play. When you arrive there, Real Madrid will be the power of Spanish football. By the time you leave the club, kids will be dreaming of playing 'the Barcelona way'.

"Listen to me, though. Your role in this will be about much more than what you do on the pitch."

And of Messi, the heir to his crown at the Nou Camp as well as his Number 10 shirt, Ronaldinho continues:

"At Barcelona, you'll hear about this kid on the youth team. He wears number 10 like you. He's small like you. He plays with the ball like you. You and your teammates will go watch him play for Barcelona's youth squad, and at that moment you'll know he's going to be more than a great footballer.

"The kid is different. His name is Leo Messi.

"You'll tell the coaches to bring him up to play with you on the senior side. When he arrives, the Barcelona players will be talking about him like the Brazilian players were talking about you.

"I want you to give him one piece of advice.

"Tell him, 'Play with happiness. Play free. Just play with the ball.'

"Even when you are gone, the free style will live on in Barcelona through Messi."

Having been without a club since leaving Fluminense back in 2015, Ronaldinho has admitted he'll retire at the end of the current season, so perhaps he felt there was never a better time to reflect on some of his achievements.

And it's fair to say few players on the planet can compete with the great man's glittering CV.

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Topics: Ronaldinho

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