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Ronaldinho is arguably the biggest football influence in the past 20 years, alongside Zinedine Zidane, the Brazilian was the main example for kids in the beginning of the 2000's. Songs have been written about him and most importantly, many of those kids who today are grown men are becoming football players thanks to the inspiration he was to many of them.
Liverpool has a few of those right now, one of them is new winger Sadio Mane, a fast-paced forward who is on his way to success with Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. The player spoke to the Liverpool official magazine about his role model, he said: “Some people say I don’t smile enough. I think that’s wrong. I’m usually smiling and having a laugh in training because I enjoy football. Ronaldinho always did that and I’ve always tried to copy him. I think footballers have plenty of reasons to smile. We have a great job that everybody would like to have.”
He continued: “It’s a system where everybody knows their job. Roberto, Coutinho, Sturridge, Adam… we know each other’s game. It’s become easier for us thanks to working on it and we are enjoying playing this way. Whether I’m starting up front or out wide isn’t really the most important thing. The manager says be free and then get into dangerous areas where you can hurt the opposition.”
Photo credit: Liverpool FC
