After Ronaldinho's mother passed away over the weekend, his former FC Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi sent him an online message in response to the terrible news.
On Sunday, it was reported that the Brazilian's mother, Dona Miguelina, passed away after she had contracted the coronavirus late last year.
Messages of condolences to the ex-Barcelona No. 10 poured in from all corners of the world, including from Messi, who took time out after the Catalan club's 1-1 LaLiga draw with Cadiz to share his thoughts in an Instagram story.
"Ronnie, I have no words, I can't believe it," he wrote, according to Argentine journalist Roy Nemer.
"Just sending you a lot of strength and a big hug to you and the family. I'm verry sorry, RIP."
Messi and Ronaldinho are understood to have had an excellent relationship during their time together at Barcelona, which came to an end in 2008 following the Brazil superstar's transfer to AC Milan.
Ronaldinho famously assisted Messi's first-ever goal for the Blaugrana, a chipped effort that came in a league match against Albacete in 2005.
The 2004 and 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year was said to have been sold by the Spanish giants in order to prevent him from negatively influencing Messi – the Brazilian had reportedly begun to miss training sessions and prioritise life away from the field.
It was Pep Guardiola, after replacing Frank Rijkaard in Barca's hot seat in 2008, who decided Ronaldinho would play no part in his plans at the Camp Nou, a decision the former Gremio youth product reportedly took well.
See below for more footballers who left Barcelona seemingly because of Messi!
