Former La Liga defender remembers how he was humbled by Barcelona icon – ‘I shook his hand and told him…’ | OneFootball

Former Deportivo de la Coruna defender Fabricio Coloccini has revealed one of his most unforgettable memories from facing Ronaldinho during his time in La Liga.

Speaking on the podcast Corazon Hecho Pelota (h/t SPORT), the Argentine recalled a 2005/06 clash between Deportivo and FC Barcelona, a match that highlighted both the brilliance and charisma of the Brazilian star.

Coloccini set the scene by recalling the one-sided affair at Riazor: “One day at Deportivo, we were playing against Barcelona. We were losing 3-0, a rout, I remember. And he, typical of what he did, would pass the ball and look the other way,”

Ronaldinho’s surprising reaction

Frustrated with how the game was unfolding, Coloccini admitted that he saw an opening to leave his mark on Ronaldinho. “An aerial ball came in, which the goalkeeper cleared, and it landed on the side of the line. And I said, well, this is my chance.

“When I went for the ball, I jumped, stretched out my leg, and obviously, at about this height, I caught him, scraping him a little on the rib.”

Coloccini remembers how Ronaldinho humbled him. (Photo by Bagu Blanco/Getty Images).

Ronaldinho’s response was immediate, though not hostile for long. “He says to me: ‘You’re crazy, you’re crazy, you’re crazy. The next ball, he says to me: ‘OK, let’s continue the game.

“He says to me: ‘Colo, Colo, the balls that go high, go ahead, I’m not going; the ones that go low, obviously I’m going. But the ones that go high, go ahead, I’m not going.’”

Ronaldinho’s magic at the Camp Nou

Coloccini also remembered the following season when Ronaldinho humiliated him with a stunning piece of skill at Camp Nou. “Then he nutmegged me in an impressive way. Impressive, in the middle of the field.

“Sometimes they post it on Instagram, and my son reminds me of it all the time. He grabs the ball in the middle of the field as if he’s going to pass it and says, ‘tic’…

“In fact, he continues the counterattack, and I keep running after him, you know, but no, nothing.”

Despite being on the receiving end of Ronaldinho’s brilliance, Coloccini showed nothing but respect. “I shook his hand, I told him: no, you are a crack, a phenomenon.”