Former Barcelona midfielder, Andres Iniesta has revealed a test his then teammate, Ronaldinho used in rising the spirit of his colleagues before an El Clasico match.

Ronaldinho in a bid to get his teammates on their toe and giving their best just before an El Clasico match, made a call across to all of them individually, lying to each he got a mouthwatering offer from rival Real Madrid and he’s willing to switch. He went on to inform them not to let each other know about his planned move when they get to the dressing room.

While at Real Madrid dressing room, Ronaldinho called the attention of everyone informing them how big of a family they are, as no one leaked his call details to another, gearing them up to win the match.

“We had a Clasico match a few days later against Real Madrid when Ronaldinho called me in the middle of the night. I answered the phone:

‘Andres, I know it’s 3 in the morning, but I have to tell you something:
Andres, I will leave in June, my brother there are advanced negotiations with Real Madrid, they have offered an imaginary sum that I cannot refuse, you are young and you can understand me, but please do not say anything in the dressing room or the administration, do not betray me, I trust you more than anyone else, Andres.’

Iniesta on reacting to Ronaldinho’s call;

I did not sleep all night, I could not understand the fact that he was going to leave us to another team, especially since among all the teams, chose our archenemy Real Madrid…

When El Clasico day came and in the Santiago Bernabeu dressing room, and while we were changing our clothes, Ronaldinho stood up and began to speak:

‘Guys, today we have an important game, we will play against a strong team, but these days I found that we are like a big family. I called all of you in the middle of the night to say I’m leaving in June, but none of you spoke.’

It was a motivational method, which had a very specific goal for Ronaldinho. After what happened, I understood that we were prepared to die inside instead of betraying each other.

‘I will be here for many more years, and now let’s go out on the field and teach football to these Madridians.’

That was before the famous El Clasico when he scored two goals, and the Bernabeu stood up completely to applaud him, that was Ronaldinho.”