Former Super Eagles star and Paris Saint-Germain legend, Jay-Jay Okocha, has opened up about his relationship with Brazilian football icon Ronaldinho and the role he played during their time together at PSG.
There has long been a myth among Nigerian football fans that Okocha taught Ronaldinho the dazzling skills that made him one of the most gifted footballers of his generation.
However, Okocha has clarified the situation, reflecting on his influence on the Brazilian star.
“Well, I don’t know about teaching him tricks,” Okocha said. “But if you have a similar background, sometimes you do things in training that you don’t know someone is emulating.
We had a very good relationship, and we still do.”
Ronaldinho joined PSG in 2001 as a 20-year-old, marking his first stint in Europe after leaving Grêmio in Brazil. Okocha revealed that he could relate to the young Ronaldinho’s struggles at the time.
“PSG was his first club out of Brazil as a 20-year-old, so in him, I could see my humble beginnings in Europe.
He was struggling to adapt; he couldn’t speak the language, and he wasn’t really playing,” Okocha explained.
The Nigerian star took the budding talent under his wing, offering advice and support during that period.
“I took him in and would advise him. All of that worked, and it seemed like I mentored him, but his talent was obvious for everyone to see.
Maybe he also picked a couple of things from me, but I can also say I admired his talent,” he added.
Although Okocha denies teaching Ronaldinho his football skills, their time together at PSG remains a testament to the bond they shared and how a little guidance can make a difference in a player’s career.
