Yaya Touré has shared a light-hearted but humbling story from his early days at FC Barcelona, shedding light on a playful yet unforgettable encounter with Brazilian icon Ronaldinho during training.
Touré, who arrived at Camp Nou in 2007 following a successful stint with AS Monaco, walked into one of the most star-studded dressing rooms in European football.
Among those already at the club were Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o, a young Lionel Messi, and Ronaldinho—then one of the most dazzling talents in world football.
Eager to prove himself, the Ivorian midfielder trained with maximum intensity from the outset, determined to earn a place in Frank Rijkaard’s squad.
However, that same drive quickly led him into a humorous lesson in humility delivered by none other than Ronaldinho himself.
Recalling the moment in a recent interview, Touré recounted how the Brazilian playmaker offered him a peculiar piece of advice shortly after he began training with the team.
“Ronaldinho came up to me and said, ‘Be careful, Yaya. If you get too close to me, I’ll embarrass you,’” Touré revealed, smiling at the memory.
Initially interpreting the remark as a friendly joke, Touré continued to apply pressure in training sessions, hoping to assert his physicality and defensive presence.
But it didn’t take long for him to realise that Ronaldinho wasn’t bluffing. Whenever Touré closed him down too aggressively, the Brazilian would effortlessly nutmeg him, drawing laughter and cheers from teammates on the sidelines.
“Back then, I thought Ronaldinho seemed like just another player during warm-ups,” Touré said. “But once we started the actual drills, he was something else entirely. He would greet me with a little high five every time he slipped the ball between my legs.”
The anecdote, shared with affection and amusement, paints a picture of both the camaraderie and the high level of skill that defined that era at Barcelona.
It also highlights Ronaldinho’s playful nature—someone who could mix elite footballing brilliance with genuine joy on the pitch.
Touré’s story offers a window into a time when Barcelona was transforming into a footballing powerhouse, with a unique blend of seasoned stars and emerging talents.
While Touré would eventually become a vital part of the squad, his early days were shaped by learning experiences like this one—where skill, flair, and respect for the game’s greats came together.
For fans of the beautiful game, the tale is a reminder of Ronaldinho’s unmatched technical ability and charm, and of the valuable lessons players like Touré absorbed while sharing the pitch with such legends.
