Ronaldinho has revealed the proudest moment of his career was "helping to change football in Barcelona" through his playing style.
The former Brazilian international joined the Catalans from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003 and won a La Liga crown, the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or during his five-year tenure at Camp Nou.
“What you'll be most proud of is helping to change football in Barcelona through your style of play,” he wrote in a letter to his eight-year-old self.
"When you arrive, Real Madrid will be the power of Spanish football. By the time you leave, kids will be dreaming of playing 'The Barcelona Way.'
"Your role in this will be about much more than what you do on the pitch.”
The letter went on to pay tribute to Lionel Messi, who made his debut for the Blaugrana a year after Ronaldinho joined and was a star of the side in the Brazilian’s final season.
"You'll hear about this kid on the youth team," the now 36-year-old adds.
"He wears No.10 like you. He's small like you. He plays with the ball like you.
"You and your teammates will go watch him play for Barcelona's youth squad, and at that moment you'll know he's going to be more than a great footballer. The kid is different. His name is Leo Messi.
"You'll tell the coaches to bring him up to play with you on the senior side. When he arrives, the Barcelona players will be talking about him like the Brazilian players were talking about you.
"I want you to give him one piece of advice. Tell him: 'Play with happiness. Play free. Just play with the ball.' Even when you are gone, the free style will live on in Barcelona through Messi."
