Saviola: I played with Ronaldinho at his best, he did things that nobody else could do Barcelona Argentine recalled his time at the Camp Nou

Many recall that before Lionel Messi, there was a diminutive Argentine in place at the Camp Nou who was set for great things: Javier Saviola. After having spent four seasons with Barcelona, he regards Ronaldinho as the most unique player he played with.

In 2001, the sky really was the limit for the striking sensation who arrived in Catalonia for a fee of around 35 million euros, making him one of the club's biggest ever signings at that time.

Saviola spent an initial period of three years with Los Cules between 2001 and 2004, before returning for the 2006/07 season after two season-long loan spells away from the club, and in both cycles he was able to play with Ronaldinho.

"I played with Ronaldinho when he was at his best; he did things that nobody else could," Saviola admitted in an interview with TyC Sports.

"He never came into the dressing room with a worried face or any sign of pressure.

"He always said that football was there to be enjoyed, that we were to have fun when we play, and that's what he did."

As with so many flair players over the years, Saviola had difficulties when working with Louis van Gaal, and this isn't something which the former River Plate goalscorer is going to deny.

"He was a very difficult coach to understand," he added.

"He was a complicated character who didn't let the players play.

"With [Juan] Roman [Riquelme], there was also a problem. It was difficult for everyone - Van Gaal was very complicated."