A former Barcelona coach has insisted that Ronaldinho was as great a talent as Lionel Messi was, but there was one key difference separating the two icons.
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When Messi broke into the Blaugrana first team, the Spanish side was under the management of Frank Rijkaard.
The Rosario native was alternating between the Barca U19B, U19A, Barca C and Barca B sides before slowly being integrated into the first team set-up by the Dutch tactician.
Part of Rijkaard's coaching staff during that time was former Ajax Amsterdam boss Henk ten Cate, and the native of the Netherlands capital has revealed how he was awestruck by the record Ballon d'Or winner when he debuted for the club against FC Porto.
"The first time I saw Messi, I looked into Frank's eyes and without speaking we told each other everything," Ten Cate told Relevo.
"I remember a match against Porto in Portugal in which he played only 10 minutes. There were two moments of his that were unforgettable that day.
"Just 16 years old and we saw that he was not afraid, he controlled the ball like a veteran... We never hesitated to make him play, even if he was 16. When you are that good, age stops mattering."
The ex-Chelsea assistant also claimed that Ronaldinho was just as good as the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner, but identified the key difference that separated the two attackers.
"Messi is the greatest talent I have ever seen," Ten Cate added.
"Also Ronaldinho's, but Leo was a much more serious guy. Ronaldinho was celebrating life.
"That there are footballers like them happens very rarely, it was something extraordinary.
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"We could help them tactically with a couple of things, but nothing more was needed because they were always deciding. They are geniuses."
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