Lionel Messi meets up with close pal Ronaldinho in Paris as PSG ace embraces ex-Barcelona team-mate while joking around

LIONEL MESSI caught up with pal Ronaldinho in Paris as the former team-mates were reunited.

The Brazilian icon famously assisted Messi’s first professional goal for Barcelona way back in May 2005 after taking his ‘little brother’ under his wing at the Nou Camp.

Instagram / @ronaldinho

Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho caught up at PSG last week[/caption]

Instagram / @ronaldinho

The pair remain close friends and enjoyed an embrace[/caption]

Instagram / @ronaldinho

They were all smiles as Messi gave Ronaldinho the tour around his old home[/caption]

Instagram / @ronaldinho

They sat down for a proper chat with Messi in his PSG kit[/caption]

And they linked up with as much ease and style at Paris Saint-Germain last week.

Ronaldinho was a special guest at the Parc des Princes for PSG’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig.

And as well as being presented to the crowd and hugging Messi on the pitch, they also spent time together behind the scenes.

Footage shows the Samba superstar, 41, wearing a baggy white t-shirt, black trousers, white shoes and a hat as he embraces his close friend.

Messi, 34, is in his PSG kit with white adidas trainers and the Jordan PSG tracksuit top.

Ronaldinho said: “It makes me very happy to see him at the club where I started in Europe.

 

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“It’s something that I thought would never happen, I was sure that he would end his career with Barcelona.

“When I arrived in Barcelona, there was talk of a very good boy.

“After training together, I saw that it was true. In each game and each training session he was something different. He became a true friend to me.”

While Messi created his legendary status at Barcelona before joining PSG, Ronaldinho did so after his time in the French capital.

He spent two years there from 2001 to 2003 and then signed for Barcelona where he won two LaLiga titles, the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.

As for Messi, having Ronnie watching clearly helped against Leipzig.

He scored twice in the second half, including a cheeky Panenka penalty, to secure the victory.

But that only took his goal tally to three for his new club and he is yet to find the net in Ligue 1 in his worst start to a season for 15 years.

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Instagram / @ronaldinho

The pair enjoyed a good catch up behind the scenes[/caption]

Instagram / @ronaldinho

Ronaldinho opted for a comfy and casual outfit in Paris[/caption]

AFP - Getty

The Brazilian assisted Messi for his very first professional goal way back in 2005[/caption]

Getty

Ronaldinho was a VIP guest as PSG beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in the Champions League[/caption]