“Without the Brazilian, Barcelona would be another club. It bothers me that certain members of the press have insisted that Ronaldinho no longer is anybody, that he is a former player. Without him rivals do not fear Barca. I don’t think ‘Dinho’ should apologize, as many people think. On the contrary. It is the Barcelona leaders who should thank Ronaldinho for what he has done for the club. I think that if they let him go, it will be the biggest mistake in the history of the club.”
— Former Argentina great Diego Maradona, criticizing his former club Barcelona’s efforts to unload maligned Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. (Marca)