Two titans of European football go head to head in Paris on Saturday as Liverpool face Real Madrid in a rematch of their 2018 Champions League final – and Ronaldinho knows who he’ll be cheering on.Brazil legend was responsible for inspiring a whole generation to fall in love with the beautiful game but now he’s happy admiring the current talent displayed on the European stage. Of course, the Barcelona legend wouldn’t be cheering on his former arch-rivals Real Madrid, but he did have to admit they have talent on their side in forward Karim Benzema.Ronaldinho was speaking at the launch of his Expedia Route 10 Freestyle Bus Tour of Paris and when asked who he would be supporting in this year’s final, Ronaldinho shared a wry smile before answering: ‘Liverpool.’Sat 22:00: (2.25) Liverpool (3.50) Real Madrid (3.35)Apart from believing the Reds will take over the European throne, R10 spoke about the matchup of two great scorers – Benzema and Mohamed SalahThe pair have excelled for their teams home and abroad this season with the Egyptian netting a total of 31 goals – eight in 12 Champions League games – while Benzema has racked up an even more impressive total of 44 with 15 coming in Europe. ‘They are strong attackers who are definitely candidates for the Ballon d’Or.’, Ronaldinho said.’Benzema has had a marvelous season and Salah has been great for many years now. They are both the best attackers in the world right now.’Both of them deserve it. They are both playing in the final of the best competition in the world. After the marvelous years they’ve had, they both deserve to be in contention.’However, while Benzema and Salah have staked their claim in the running for the award, one of Ronaldinho’s dearest friends has won seven of those and is now playing at Parc des Princes, where the 42-year-old Brazilian started his European career.We are of course talking about Lionel Messi. Ronaldinho played alongside the Argentinian at the Nou Camp for three years before leaving to join AC Milan in 2008. Messi made a Nou Camp exit of his own last summer when he shockingly left the club to join PSG on a free transfer.Reds’ Pharaoh against the Spanish ‘kings’ – Egyptian superstar can’t wait to face Real MadridThe move has not been the success story the footballing world envisaged, with Messi bagging only six goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances. But even so, Ronaldinho claimed his former team-mate made the right decision by quitting Barcelona. ‘If my friend is happy, it’s the right decision,’ he said. ‘And I believe he is very happy.’He is going through a period of adapting but he’s already been voted the best player in the world (the Ballon d’Or).’The Catalan side managed to clinch a second-place finish in LaLiga, despite their disastrous start to the season in the wake of Messi’s departure. The club are still way off the pace set by champions and rivals Madrid but Ronaldinho insisted they can survive without the Argentine superstar thanks to Xavi being at the helm.Dembele chooses PSG, but Campos is against it’People said they were surprised when I left Barcelona and when Messi left. But Barcelona continues to be Barcelona.’ said Ronaldinho Gaucho.’Things change in football, naturally. Now the club’s hierarchy needs to bring in new players with talent to continue being successful.’They already have a great coach who has a foundation in the history of the club. So the club can begin its rebuild with this manager to create a beautiful team. ‘They need to now give the manager the opportunity to build a great team.’It won’t be easy. They need a bit more time to build a side that is based around the best players. But I think players are happy to be playing for one of the best teams in the world.’24.11. Thu 21:00: (1.55) Brazil (4.00) Serbia (6.25)Let’s get back to Paris Saint Germain. Since a few days ago, the Saints can brag about having and more importantly keeping among them a player that should surely collect the most prestigious individual football award.Kylian Mbappe was expected to dominate the headlines as the transfer window’s hottest prospect this summer but he shocked the football world by snubbing Real Madrid to pledge his future to Paris Saint-Germain. The 23-year-old announced he had signed a new three-year deal with the French club before their final Ligue 1 game of the season, despite many expecting him to move to Real Madrid on a free transfer. And former PSG star Ronaldinho holds the French starlet in high regard.’Right now, of the future… he’s a player that could be part of history.’, Ronaldinho replied When asked if Mbappe was one of the best players around.’He deserves all the respect he’s getting. He is making history and can continue to create happiness for us in this game.’2001: Ronaldinho signed for PSG ✍️2002: He won the World Cup 🏆2017: Mbappe signed for PSG ✍️2018: He won the World Cup 🏆2021: Messi signed for PSG ✍️2022: There’s a World Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/yVLfp85nGA— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 11, 2021 Ronaldinho continued to suggest that the forward was better than any other player at the French side – even his former team-mate Messi. He added that Mbappe had already cemented himself as the best in France and if he were to have made an exit from the French capital it would only be to go and become the best in another country. ‘Today he [Mbappe] is the best player for PSG,’ he said. ‘If he left to go anywhere else, it would only be to have the chance to be the best player in another country. He’s already the best in France.’
