Brazilian Football Legend Ronaldinho: "Everything Started in Egypt for Me"

Brazilian football legend and all-round nice guy, Ronaldinho, has revealed that Egypt is rather dear to his heart, claiming that his career was kick-started when he won the U-17 World Cup in 1997, which was held in Egypt, according to Kingtut.

Speaking on Pyramids FC TV as a studio analyst for the Turki Al Sheikh-owned club's Egyptian Premier League Game against Al Gaish on Tuesday. “I won my first title in Egypt that’s why I can say that it all started here for me,” he said of the tournament, which Brazil clinched with a 2-1 win over Ghana in Cairo International Stadium. “Everything started in Egypt for me, after I won the U-17 World Cup with Brazil. I’ve visited Egypt several times since and I’m always happy when I’m back”, he added.

The tournament certainly did kick-start his career; just one year later, an 18 year-old Ronaldinho made his senior debut with Brazilian side, Gremio. In 2001, he made a career-making move to French club, Paris Saint-Germain, where he quickly established himself as one of the best players in Europe, attracting the attention of Spanish giants, FC Barcelona - and the rest, as they say, his history.

Main image from Goal.com