Following his first game for Flamengo, after leaving AC Milan, Ronaldinho kissed the badge.

“It was unforgettable,” he said. “I have no words. One of the greatest thrills of my life. I have to thank everybody at Flamengo for welcoming me with open arms.”

Ronaldinho had been set to return to his first club, Gremio, until Flamengo hijacked the deal at the last minute.

“It all seemed to be finalised, we were just waiting for Ronaldinho to put pen to paper, but things changed,” commented Gremio President Paulo Odone. “Flamengo can pay Milan a buy-out clause thanks to their sponsors, while we cannot go beyond our limits and therefore we consider the negotiations to be closed. We have already told our position to agent Roberto de Assis. We had been told Dinho wanted to end his career in his favourite club, but that will not be happening now…”