Ronaldinho Names Three Teammates In Top Five Players List

London, England - Two-time FIFA World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho Gaúcho, has listed his top five players in the world, and included three of his Barcelona teammates in his selection.

The Brazil international forward filled out his all-star list with AC Milan's Kaka and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a commendable show of team solidarity, Ronaldinho included the 20 year-old Argentine and Barcelona star Lionel Messi in his list, but balanced his "treachery," by naming fellow Brazil international Kaka in the five strong list which also includes Portugal playmaker Deco, and France star Thierry Henry.

Explaining why he chose Messi, Ronaldinho told FourFourTwo magazine: "His progress is incredible. And when a Brazilian says that about an Argentine, it's a huge compliment.
"He's so quick and keeps the ball so close to his feet that they have to foul him. And if they foul him close to the area we get a free-kick.
"When I think of Leo, I smile."

Kaka's stunning performance for AC Milan against Manchester United in last season's Champions League, earned him a place on the list.
"I knew he was a great player because I saw him developing as a youngster at Sao Paulo," Ronaldinho said. "He went to places like Manchester in front of all those English fans and great players, and was not overawed.

"He was the best player on the pitch, always moving forward with grace and ready to score important goals. Now Kaka is the complete player."

And Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, was included because Ronaldinho loves to watch him play: "He dribbles a lot and has great style." He said.
"I love to watch him go one-to-one against a player because he confuses defenders. Manchester United are a great attacking team and I love to watch Cristiano because he's improved tremendously in the last two years.

"He is more of a team player now, less selfish. But he still provides moments of skill which can change a game."

Singling out Thiery Henry for praise Ronaldinho said: "He's played at such a high level for so long and the consistency of his goal record is incredible, but he is so much more than a goalscorer.
"Arsenal became one of the best teams in Europe and Thierry Henry was a major reason for that.

Before we [Barcelona] played them in the Champions League final, we identified him as the player who could give us the most problems. And now it's great that he is with us at Barcelona."

And Ronaldinho -- full name Ronaldo de Assís Moreira -- took a friendly dig at his teammate Deco, who although born in Brazil, took Portuguese citizenship when he played for FC Porto: "Deco is someone with a little bit of everything, a complete player. He supports me when I play for Barcelona and is always there if I need to pass to him.

He can play, and -- people forget this -- defending is a very important part to his game.
"Do I wish he played for Brazil? I still tell him that he's not good enough to play for Brazil."

Ronaldinho's list is included in a compilation of the world's top 100 players produced by FourFourTwo magazine which also features the top five selections of England's Michael Owen (Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Lionel Messi); Liverpool striker Fernando Torres (Gerrard, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney and Henry); and Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy (Messi, David Beckham, Kaka, Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic).