“I think Park Ji-sung too. I like his style of play.”
This is what Ronaldinho said when asked to name the best Korean player he has played against.
Ronaldinho spoke to reporters at an official press conference at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in Yeongdeungpo on Tuesday. He is in Korea with Marco Materazzi-Fabio Cannavaro (Italy) to promote the ‘Legends Match’, which will take place in October.
The trio shared their memories of their time in Korea, with Materazzi saying, “This is my second visit to Korea. The first visit was not pleasant. Ronaldinho would have liked it,” he joked. Ronaldinho last played for the Brazilian national team at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, where they won the trophy.
On his arrival, Ronaldinho said, “Thank you to the Korean fans from the airport. I hope I can have a good time here,” he said.
When asked during the press conference who is the best Korean player he has played against, Ronaldinho said, “I think it’s Park Ji-sung. I like his style of play. He was a tough player to play against.” Just before that, Materazzi also shouted out “Park,” and Ronaldinho seemed to agree.
Ronaldinho and Park have only faced each other twice in their careers. In the 2009-10 UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16, the two players played for AC Milan (Italy) and Manchester United (England), respectively. Both played the full game, with Park winning for United. In the first leg, Ronaldinho scored the first goal, but then conceded three goals to lose 2-3. In the second leg, United won 4-0, with Park scoring the team’s third goal.
In the second game, Park Ji-sung was in the center of the field, completely shutting down opposing ace Andrea Pirlo. Wayne Rooney once told a local media outlet, “Because of Park Ji-sung, Pirlo could only make 20 to 30 passes.” Pirlo, in turn, praised Park Ji-sung in his autobiography. Pirlo also mentioned the match in his autobiography. Ronaldinho hasn’t forgotten Park’s performance either.
“Football continues to evolve and grow. I think Korea is on the same level as the rest of the world,” he said. When asked what it would be like to play against Kim Min-jae if he returned to active duty, he laughed: “I think it would be difficult to play against Kim Min-jae.” Finally, he commented on Lee Kang-in, who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG): “He joined a very big club. 꽁머니사이트 I wish him all the best for the future.”
After the press conference, Ronaldinho has a busy schedule ahead of him, including a soccer clinic, filming YouTube content, and experiencing Korean culture.
Ronaldinho made his debut with Gremio (Brazil) in 1998 and played for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), FC Barcelona (Spain), AC Milan, Atletico Mineiro, Flamengo (Brazil), Querétaro (Mexico), Fluminense (