Ronaldinho demands Barcelona No10 shirt be retired after Lionel Messi quits so ‘nobody touches it again’
RONALDINHO has demanded Barcelona retire the No10 shirt after Lionel Messi quits so "nobody touches it again".
The Brazilian legend, 38, has dubbed Messi "the best in the club's history".
Ronaldinho has always been a huge admirer of the Argentine star, 31, since they played together at Barcelona.
When Ronaldinho moved to AC Milan in 2008, Messi even inherited his No10 shirt.
At the time, when the Brazilian was asked whether Messi was good enough to adopt the famous shirt, he answered: "Without a doubt!"
Now Ronaldinho has told local media: "He is the best in the club's history and has done what no one else could.
"I hope it stays that way for another 20 years at least.
"For anyone who loves football, we would like keep him at this level for many more years."
However, Ronaldinho was not willing to go as far as to name Messi as the game's best ever player.
He said: "It is hard because there have been so many at different times. There was Pele in his time, Maradona in his.
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"Zidane had his moment while Ronaldo Nazario enjoyed his. What is clear, is that Messi is undoubtedly among the greatest in history."
Ronaldinho wants to see Barcelona retire the No10 shirt in honour of the Argentine legend who currently captains the Catalan club.
He said: "When Messi retires, which I hope will be a long time from now, they should leave the No10 there so that nobody can touch it again."