Ronaldinho was a member of Brazil’s World Cup-winning squad in 2002, and won the Champions League and two LaLiga medals with Barcelona before helping AC Milan to a Serie A triumph in 2010-11.

His brother confirmed that Ronaldinho is now a retired footballer.

But the attacker’s vibrant style of play and flair for the game made him football’s brightest star in the early 2000s – preceding an era of dominance by his Camp Nou successor Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Flamboyant Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar follows in Ronaldinho’s footsteps and the €222million man paid a touching tribute to his former colleague.

«What an honour to be part of your history,» Neymar wrote on Instagram. «I’ll always remember your joy on the field. You’ve left a legacy that will hardly be beaten in the art of football. Thank you for everything that you did for football lovers.»