Andres Iniesta recounts the most incredible anecdote of Ronaldinho’s career:
“A few days before the Clasico against Real Madrid, ‘Dinho’ called me at home in the middle of the night. I answered, and he said:
‘Andres, I know it’s 3 a.m., but I have to confess something to you. In June, I’m leaving Barça. My brother has reached an agreement with Real Madrid. It’s an incredible sum that I can’t refuse. You’re young, you can understand… But please don’t tell anyone in the locker room or the club, don’t betray me, I trust you more than anyone else. Goodnight Andres.’
He didn’t give me a chance to say anything. The next day, we were at the training ground, and I felt a silent atmosphere around me. The whole team was acting strange, embracing Ronaldinho like never before…
When the day of the Clasico arrived, in the dressing room at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, ‘Dinho’ spoke up and said:
‘Guys, today is a very important match, they are strong but these days I discovered that we are like a family. I called each of you in the middle of the night and I confided in you that I was leaving in June, but none of you spoke. After that, I understood that we were ready to suffer internally rather than betray each other. I will stay here for a long time… Now let’s go on the field and teach these Madrid players a football lesson!’
That night, Ronaldinho played one of the best matches at the Bernabeu and scored two goals. When he came off, the whole Bernabeu stood up to applaud him.”
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