Mikel Arteta believes Ronaldinho is the first player in history to have single-handedly altered two clubs: Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Ronaldinho joined PSG from Gremio in 2001 and stayed only two years until Barcelona signed him for £21 million in the summer of 2003, beating Manchester United.
After joining PSG, the Brazilian rapidly established himself as one of the world’s top attacking players, and he later helped Barcelona win two La Liga titles and the Champions League in 2006.
Arteta played with Ronaldinho at PSG, and the Arsenal manager believes his old teammate is the only player to have had such an influence on two top teams.
“He was a big talent,’ said Arteta.
‘He is the only player in history who has been able to alter two teams on his own. He did it in Paris, transforming them, and he did it again in Barcelona during one of their worst periods.
‘He had an aura, vitality, and a smile on his face. It was hard to be in a foul attitude being close to him.
Arteta also maintains he had no problem sharing a room with Ronaldinho when he moved from Brazil at the age of 20.
‘He was fantastic,’ Arteta stated.
‘Again, so much energy, so much joy; everything was fine, never an issue. Great moments.
“With me, he was always perfect.”
