True to their philosophy, FC Barcelona signed one of the best players in the world. Barça beat off both Real Madrid and Manchester United to win the signature of Ronaldinho on a five year deal. The blaugranes paid Paris Saint-Germain some 25M euros plus 5M in variables for the services of the Brazilian star.
The Club needed a shake up after five successive seasons without silverware, Ronaldinho’s first season would see the Club compete not in the Champions League but in the UEFA Cup. The arrival of the charismatic striker and a new board of directors gave Barça the momentum they needed to return to the elite of European Football. Ronaldinho brought the magic back to Camp Nou in his own inimitably modest style: “I am not coming here as a star, just as another player to help the team.”
