Ronaldinho expresses his pride at having returned to Barcelona as club ambassador: 'I'm very happy... It will be emotional to wear the shirt again'
- Ronaldinho reveals at unveiling he 'always felt like an ambassador' of Barcelona
- Brazilian will promote the club at various footballing events around the world
- 36-year-old won two La Liga titles and Champions League as a Barcelona player
- Ronaldinho was unveiled on Friday by club president Josep Maria Bartomeu
Ronaldinho has revealed his immense pride at having been unveiled as the new club ambassador for Barcelona, nearly a decade on from leaving the Nou Camp as one of its greatest ever players.
The flamboyant Brazilian lit up the old stadium at the height of his playing career, and he has now returned to take up a new role to promote the club around the world.
Ronaldinho, who enjoyed five years laden with success between 2003 and 2008, is delighted to have been offered the chance to work in an official capacity once more for the La Liga giants.
![Ronaldinho has expressed his pride at taking up a role at Barcelona as a club ambassador](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/3CCE869100000578-0-image-a-126_1486165359074.jpg)
Ronaldinho has expressed his pride at taking up a role at Barcelona as a club ambassador
![The Brazilian was viewed as one of the club's greatest players during a trophy-laden period](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/3CCE6A5900000578-0-image-a-127_1486165362271.jpg)
The Brazilian was viewed as one of the club's greatest players during a trophy-laden period
'I'm very happy,' said Ronaldinho. 'Very few people have the opportunity to say they are a Barcelona ambassador.
'I've missed everything. I spent a lot of time here. I left a lot of friends here, and I haven't been back to the Nou Camp until now.
'To be back here in an official capacity, the same when I was as a player, people didn't really associate my name with Barca but I've always felt like an ambassador.
![The 36-year-old was officially unveiled in his new position in a presentation at the Nou Camp](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/3CCE567B00000578-0-image-a-133_1486165738647.jpg)
The 36-year-old was officially unveiled in his new position in a presentation at the Nou Camp
![Ronaldinho celebrates a goal against Werder Bremen during their Champions League in 2006](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/05D9ABCC0000044D-0-The_36_year_old_Brazilian_enjoyed_a_trophy_laden_five_year_spell-a-132_1486165725366.jpg)
Ronaldinho celebrates a goal against Werder Bremen during their Champions League in 2006
'I will continue to take the name of Barca around the world and it will be great to wear the shirt again. Together with my team-mates, we helped put together a great part of the club's history and thanks to God, things turned out well.'
Ronaldinho won the Champions League and two La Liga titles under Frank Rijkaard before Pep Guardiola opted to sacrifice the forward in order to make Lionel Messi the central focus of his team.
But the 36-year-old has now returned to Catalonia, officially unveiled at the Nou Camp on Friday by Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
![Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is delighted to see Ronaldinho represent the club again](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/3CCD29C400000578-0-image-a-134_1486165745600.jpg)
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is delighted to see Ronaldinho represent the club again
![Ronaldinho comes up against Sportsmail's Jamie Carragher during a Champions League game](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/067D78910000044D-0-image-a-135_1486165793142.jpg)
Ronaldinho comes up against Sportsmail's Jamie Carragher during a Champions League game
Current boss Luis Enrique, along with Blaugrana supporters worldwide, welcomed the news of Ronaldinho's return to the fold and he believes it can only be a positive to connect the present with illustrious members of the past.
'I think it's great for Ronaldinho to be an ambassador for Barca,' Enrique said. 'I had the pleasure to play with him and share a dressing room with him when he came to the club.
'He was a pioneer when it come bringing joy to proceedings and he brought a lot to the club. Linking Barca with happiness is always a good thing.'
![Ronaldinho's glittering playing career also saw him earn 97 caps for the Brazil senior squad](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/04A235450000044D-0-Ronaldinho_s_glittering_playing_career_also_saw_him_earn_97_caps-a-130_1486165694832.jpg)
Ronaldinho's glittering playing career also saw him earn 97 caps for the Brazil senior squad
![Ex-midfielder was regarded by many as one of the greatest and most skilful of his generation](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/0490F9D10000044D-0-Ex_midfielder_was_regarded_by_many_as_one_of_the_greatest_and_mo-a-131_1486165698148.jpg)
Ex-midfielder was regarded by many as one of the greatest and most skilful of his generation
The move comes nearly nine years after he left Barca for Italian giants AC Milan, having helped the Spaniards become a European force again.
Regarded by many as one of the greatest and most skilful of his generation, the midfielder was credited with helping Barcelona return to the summit of Spanish football following his arrival from PSG in 2003.
After his Barca departure in 2008, he spent three years in Italy with Milan before returning to Brazil to play for Flamengo.
Spells with Atletico Mineiro, Queretaro and Fluminense followed before he called time on his glittering career in 2015.
![Ronaldinho has a strong relationship with the current Brazilian superstar in the side, Neymar](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/3CBDE08C00000578-0-image-a-129_1486165374500.jpg)
Ronaldinho has a strong relationship with the current Brazilian superstar in the side, Neymar
![The Barcelona legend has tipped Neymar to become the world's greatest player at the club](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/03/23/3CBD764D00000578-0-image-a-128_1486165371699.jpg)
The Barcelona legend has tipped Neymar to become the world's greatest player at the club
Ronaldinho continued a proud tradition of Brazilians to wear the red and blue of Barcelona, following in the footsteps of Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo - and he spoke glowingly of the current incumbent of the No 11 shirt.
'Neymar is a phenomenon,' Ronaldinho added. 'He is the biggest thing in Brazilian football at present, he's a good friend of mine, and one of the best players in the world.
'It is a pride to see a Brazilian making history. I think he'll be here for a long time and will become the best player in the world.'
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20170206162636im_/http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/gif/2015/09/16/636x90_barcelona.png )
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