• Deco (L), Ronaldinho (R)
The ex-Portugal international enjoyed success at Barcelona with the Brazilian and believes he did not have to work as hard as the modern greats to play at such a high level former Barcelona midfielder Deco believes Ronaldinho was far more naturally gifted with a football than either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ex-Portugal international Deco played alongside Ronaldinho during his time at Camp Nou before both left the club in 2008 having won two Liga titles and the Champions League in 2006.
And Deco feels the Brazilian World Cup winner’s ability with the ball at his feet surpasses that of the mordern greats, though he concedes both Messi and Ronaldo have used their other strengths to become the world’s best.
“Cristiano was young and athletic, very competitive,” he said in his role as a pundit for Sony Six. “Messi worked hard to do what he can do with a football now at Barcelona.
“Ronaldinho was a natural with special ability. Whenever we gave the ball to him, the moves and goals were from a different world. He was far more gifted than Leo or Cristiano.
“When we did not know what to do, he would create that opportunity for you.”
