Lionel Messi remembers his first steps in Barcelona. The four times Golden Ball holder is paying a fitting tribute to the Brazilian team that facilitated his integration. The Argentine striker said he learned a lot especially from the Brazilian striker Ronaldinho.

“I’ve always said it. The Brazilians of Barça, Ronaldinho and the others – Deco, Sylvinho and Thiago Motta have warmly welcomed me when I arrived in the locker room. This helped me a lot. But Ronaldinho, who was the reference of the team, taught me a lot.

It helped me a lot. It is never easy to integrate a team at 16. Ronaldinho did everything to facilitate the task for me. I was lucky to know him. It is a great person. “Messi said on Barça TV relayed by Sambafoot.