Ronaldinho, the Brazilian star who inspired a generation to fall in love with the beautiful game, is now content to see the present brilliance on exhibit on the European stage.
Liverpool will meet Real Madrid in a rematch of their 2018 Champions League final in Paris on Saturday, and Ronaldinho knows who he’ll be rooting for.
When asked who he would be rooting for in this year’s final, Ronaldinho said with a wry smile, “Liverpool.”
Of course, the Barcelona veteran will not be rooting for his former arch-rivals Real Madrid. But he must agree that they have a talented attacker in Karim Benzema.
In Paris, the Frenchman will face Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, with both men hoping to lead their teams to the title.
This season, the Egyptian has scored 31 goals for his side, including eight in 12 Champions League games, while Benzema has scored 44 goals, 15 of which have come in Europe.
The 42-year-old believes the two are now two of the finest attackers in the world, and that either might be a contender for the Ballon d’Or this season.
‘They are strong attackers who are undoubtedly candidates for the Ballon d’Or,’ Ronaldinho stated during the opening of his Expedia Route 10 Freestyle Bus Tour of Paris.
‘Benzema has had an outstanding season, while Salah has been outstanding for many years. They are currently the best attackers in the world.
‘They both deserve it. They’re both in the final of the world’s most prestigious tournament. They both deserve to be in contention after the fantastic years they’ve had.’
While Benzema and Salah have made their claims in the race for the prize, one young player is certain to be close behind.
This summer, Kylian Mbappe was anticipated to be the hottest transfer window possibility, but he stunned the football world by rejecting Real Madrid and committing his future to Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite many anticipating him to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, the 23-year-old confirmed he has signed a new three-year contract with the French club before their last Ligue 1 game of the season.
Ronaldinho, a former PSG player, holds the French prodigy in high respect.
‘Right now, of the future… he’s a guy who may be part of history,’ Ronaldinho said when asked if Mbappe was one of the finest players in the world.
He is deserving of all the admiration he is receiving. He’s making history and has the potential to continue to bring us joy in this game.’
Ronaldinho insisted that the striker was superior than any other player on the French squad, even his former teammate Lionel Messi.
He went on to say that Mbappe had already established himself as France’s finest player, and that if he had left the French capital, he would only have gone on to become the top player in another nation.
‘He [Mbappe] is PSG’s finest player right now,’ he remarked. ‘If he went anyplace else, it would only be to have the chance to play for another country’s finest team.’ He is already France’s best.’