Ronaldinho at 38... the memories

You know that you are getting older when Ronaldinho, one of the best footballers you have seen in your lifetime, turns 38 years old. The former player has always been the centre of attention, in politics, as a mediator... always in the centre, exactly where he liked to be. 

He doesn't quite have the same magic touch that he used to, now playing sparingly for the Barcelona Legends side or in futsal tournaments in India, where he can still enjoy the feel of the ball at his feet. 

But his goals, his tricks and his impossible football are still burned into the retinas of those who grew up watching him. Without him, Messi would not be the player that he is today. You could even go as far as to say that Barcelona would not be the club that they are today. He is also why the Argentine, thanks to training with him, was able to take on football the way he has. 

He didn't copy all of the technical aspects, but he was inspired by the breathtaking football that Ronaldinho wowed fans with over the last decade. Football that, unfortunately, did not last as long as it should have. 

Ronaldinho turns 38 very close to the 10 year anniversary of his last goal with Barcelona, a spectacular bicycle kick at the Calderon, which was his last piece of magic in a season marked by his non-chalance and more than a few calls for him to up his level of fitness. 

Only he and Guardiola know who decided that Ronaldinho would not continue at Barcelona, when the 'Blaugrana' were on the cusp of winning everything in their sight. He went to Milan, where he was not as important, but he was able to form part of another strong team featuring Ibrahimovic, Pato, Seedorf, Pirlo, Beckham... before he returned to see out his career in Brazil. 

His football was so universal that, despite playing with a little weight, and despite numerous off-field stories, he left us with so many memories of games - the 4-5 against Neymar's Santos, or his final brace with Queretaro in a game in which he only played for ten minutes. 

It's three years now since he retired from professional football. But his legacy continues. Happy birthday Ronaldinho!