Ronaldinho wasted no time in revealing the surprising former Liverpool player he wishes he could have teamed up with.

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has revealed the Liverpool player he would have loved to play alongside during his illustrious career—and it’s a name that might surprise many.

Over a career spanning nearly two decades, Ronaldinho, now 44, graced some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona, AC Milan, and PSG. Known for his flamboyant style, dazzling tricks, and impeccable technique, he cemented his legacy as one of football’s greatest talents.

Renowned for his success with both the Brazilian national team and Barcelona, where he won the 2002 World Cup and countless club honors, Ronaldinho shared the pitch with legends such as Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldo Nazário, and Kaká. Yet, when reflecting on players he missed the chance to play with, he surprisingly singled out a former Liverpool star.

In a 2018 interview with Sport 45, Ronaldinho expressed his admiration for Philippe Coutinho, who at the time was starring for Liverpool. “There are many players I didn’t get to play with, but I would have loved to,” he said. “[Philippe] Coutinho is one of them. [Andrés] Iniesta and he are fantastic players. They each have their own style, but I think Coutinho will become one of the big names in world football. He already is, but I believe he’ll achieve even more.”

At the time, Coutinho, then 32, was in peak form at Liverpool, contributing seven goals and six assists in just 14 Premier League appearances during the 2017-18 season. His performances earned him a high-profile move to Barcelona in January 2018 for a reported £142 million, according to The Athletic.

However, Coutinho’s time in La Liga fell short of expectations. After a loan spell at Bayern Munich in 2019, he returned to the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2022 but struggled to regain his consistency. Subsequent loans saw him join Al-Duhail in Qatar and Vasco da Gama in Brazil, where he currently plays.

While Coutinho’s career trajectory didn’t reach the heights many anticipated, Ronaldinho’s admiration highlights the Brazilian’s immense talent and potential during his Live

rpool days.