‘Ronaldinho never used to train and would just turn up for games’, reveals former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate


A FORMER Paris Saint-Germain team-mate has revealed Ronaldinho would spend the week partying instead of training and arrive on the Friday ahead of a game the following day.

Jerome Leroy — who played alongside the Brazilian superstar from 2001 to 2003 — also claimed that when the Ballon d’Or winner would turn up for training, he would march straight to the massage rooms and sleep.

PSG midfielder Brazilian Ronaldinho reacts after Auxerre won the French Cup, beating PSG 2-1 at Stade de France in Saint Denis 31 May 2003. (Photo credit should read JEAN AYISSI/AFP/Getty Images)
Ronaldinho’s party antics while at Paris Saint-Germain have been revealed
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Guingamp's midfielder Jerome Leroy (L) vies with Paris-Saint-Germain's midfielder Gabriel Heinze (R), during their French L1 soccer match Guingamp vs PSG, 20 September 2003 at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp. AFP PHOTO FRED TANNEAU (Photo credit should read FRED TANNEAU/AFP/Getty Images)
Jerome Leroy (L) was team-mate of Ronaldinho’s at Paris Saint-Germain in 2002-03
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Ronaldinho was a notorious party animal, and his reluctance to change his lifestyle ultimate cut short his brief time as the world’s No.1 footballer.

And Leroy has lifted the lid on the Brazilian’s crazy antics.

Speaking to SFR Sport, he said: “Ronaldinho did not train at all on any day of the week.

“He would just turn up on the Friday for a game on the Saturday.

“That was Ronaldinho. I believe he tried to follow in the footsteps of Romario, who also went out every night, but did not have the same success.”

Paris, FRANCE: l'attaquant brEIEsilien du PSG, Ronaldinho se dirige vers le point de corner, le 27 octobre 2001 au Parc des Princes aE? Paris, lors de la rencontre Paris Saint-Germain/Bastia comptant pour la 12e journEIEe du championnat de France de football de 1ere division. AFP PHOTO/Jacques Demarthon (Photo credit should read JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images)
Ronaldinho made his name during his time at PSG before moving to Barcelona
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Leroy also revealed more crazy antics in an interview with So Foot last December.

He claimed: “In the mornings, Ronaldinho would turn up in sunglasses.

“He would get dressed and go directly to the massage rooms to sleep.

“Players with his enormous talent are usually a little crazy.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN: (FILES) - This photo taken 21 July 2003 in Barcelona shows Brazilian player Ronaldinho (L) with Paris PSG soccer club president Joan Laporta during Ronaldinho's official presentation. Paris court opened a case on transfers of PSG players, including Ronaldinho, 03 January 2005. AFP PHOTO JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Ronaldinho moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Barcelona in summer of 2003
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BARI, ITALY - NOVEMBER 07: Ronaldinho (L) and Alexandre Pato of Milan after the Serie A match between Bari and Milan at Stadio San Nicola on November 7, 2010 in Bari, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Ronaldinho's gradual decline from elite footballer began with move to Milan
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Brazilian striker Rom?rio de Souza Faria, known as Romario, playing for Spanish club FC Barcelona in a Champions League group stage match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, October 1994. (Photo by Chris Cole/Getty Images)
Johan Cruyff revealed hilarious story about Romario going to Brazil carnival
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Ronaldinho moved to PSG from Gremio in 2001 and came to the world’s attention with his performances as Brazil won the World Cup a year later.

Barcelona beat Manchester United to his signing in 2003 and his majestic, match-winning skills catapulted him to the world’s best player.

He won the Ballon d’Or in 2005 — however, his partying got the better of him and his form suffered a huge dip.

Media and VIP's swarm around former Brazilian World Cup stars Ronaldo Nazario (L) and Ronaldinho Gaucho (R)during the kickoff ceremony at the start of the Florida Cup All-Star game at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida on January 16, 2016. Former players and celebrities competed in a friendly match and Ronaldo was the guest of honor. Brazil's second highest goal scorer in international competition, Ronaldo was FIFA World Player of the Year three times (1996, 1997, 2002) and played on two Brazilian teams that won the World Cup (1994 and 2002). Ronaldinho was FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 and was a star midfielder on the Brazil's 2002 World Cup squad. / AFP / Gregg Newton (Photo credit should read GREGG NEWTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Brazil superstars and Ballon d'Or winners Ronaldinho and Ronaldo meet up
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When Pep Guardiola took over in 2008, he shipped Ronaldinho off to AC Milan where he began his gradual decline — he retired earlier this month.

Romario, meanwhile, was another notorious party animal.

Ahead of a 1994 match, he reportedly asked Barca manager Johan Cruyff whether he could have an extended break to return home for carnival.

The Dutchman was shocked by set him challenge — two goals in the next match and he could have a longer break.

Romario netted an early brace and asked if he could come off to catch the next flight to Rio.
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