More than 20 years later, Ronaldinho still hasn’t gotten over certain aspects of his time at Paris Saint-Germain. In his sights is the coach at the time, none other than Luis Fernandez.
Two decades on, the resentment remains. Ronaldinho hasn’t forgotten. In his mini-series released on Netflix, he still refuses to talk about his former Paris Saint-Germain coach.
Long-standing tensions with his former coach
The documentary, titled “Ronaldinho: The One and Only,” revisits his arrival in Paris in 2001 and his promising early days in Europe. But it also highlights the explosive tensions with his coach, particularly after the 2002 World Cup victory with Brazil.
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At the time, the relationship between the two men deteriorated sharply. Luis Fernandez criticized the Brazilian’s lifestyle, mentioning repeated late-night outings, sometimes on the eve of matches. “He would come back at 6 or 7 in the morning,” the former coach revealed.
Criticism Ronaldinho never accepted. Even today, he refuses to say Fernandez’s name. In the series, he dodges the topic: “Laurent Perpère was like a father figure to me,” he explains. “I have many good things to say about him. The other one? I have nothing to say (laughs).”
RONALDINHO: THE ONE AND ONLY, a new documentary series, premieres April 16.
Follow the life and career of Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho, tracing his journey from young prodigy to global sports icon. pic.twitter.com/9yBpOwsHkX
— Netflix (@netflix) April 2, 2026
Despite the clash, his time at PSG remains memorable. In 77 matches, Ronaldinho scored 25 goals and delivered moments of pure brilliance. But the story ended in 2003, with a move to FC Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2006 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005. His legacy was written in Barcelona, not really in Paris.
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