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Journalist
Graduated from School of Journalism in Paris. Specializing in football, and more particularly on the transfer window. Fan of PSG and Stade Français.
Having passed through PSG between 2001 and 2003, Ronaldinho caused a lot of ink to flow during this experience in France. Talented on the field, the former Brazilian playmaker nevertheless made the headlines during these two years for his extra-sporting controversies based on drunken evenings and his penchant for girls. Luis Fernandez, his PSG coach at the time, throws everything away.
In the same way as Ronaldo, Rivaldo or even Romario, Ronaldinho marked the spirits in Brazil and the history of Selection. The former playmaker, World champion with his national team in 2002 and Ballon d’Or in 2005, discovered Europe in the ranks of PSG (2001-2003) before subsequently exploding at FC Barcelone. But during his stay in Paris, Ronaldinho was especially talked about for his nights out in nightclubs, his alcohol consumption… and even his relationships with girls while he was at the hotel for some green dates with PSG! Questioned in the columns of THE TEAM, Luis Fernandez remembers the complexity of the case Ronaldinho.
“He went out partying every night”
« Ronaldinho is, with George Weah, the greatest player I have coached. I remember that when he arrived at the club in 2001, I was wished good luck in managing this young man of 21 years. However, the first year, he adapted well. With the staff, we made it grow. He became more seasoned and ended up world champion with Brazil. Things got worse the following season. The Park security people told me that he went out partying every night, I was also warned that girls came to see him in his room during the green days. It was not my role to take care of the lives of each of my players. Normally, the club should have taken care of it. But Laurent Perpère (then deputy president of PSG) did not want it. I was made to look like the bad guy on duty, even though I was defending the institution », confides the former coach of PSGwhich therefore regrets the lack of firmness of its leaders at the time despite the star status of Ronaldinho.
“The club abandoned me”
« What if I blamed the leaders? Yes, because they did nothing. The club abandoned me. The management gave Ronaldinho the freedom to do what he wanted to do. It is important that the leaders and the coach are on the same line. Perpère told me: “Between Ronaldinho and Fernandez, I chose Ronaldinho.” If the club does not support its coach, things go in all directions », continues Luis Fernandez. This is clear.