Messi's touching farewell to 'big bro' Ronaldinho. He calls him Ronnie.

Three years, four months and 21 days. Or, if you like, 1,240 days, the exact time that Ronaldinho and Leo Messi displayed one of the best duo performances football has known at FC Barcelona. From the time that coach Frank Rijkaard gave the Argentine his first team debut against Espanyol in October 2004 until the Brazilian’s final game for the blaugranes in March 2008, the duo have formed an awe-inspiring coalition in the more than three years they shared a dressing room.

Here are some attractive things the two did together on the field.

Ronaldinho came to the Club from Paris Saint-Germain, the blaugranes opponents on Wednesday in the second leg of their last 16 Champions League tie.

Leo Messi’s first ever goal in official competition came from an assist from 'Ronnie'(as he calls Ronaldinho,) the first of many moments of magic and a lifelong bond of friendship between the two that went far beyond the pitch. 

Messi and Ronaldinho laughing in Training

Here are the solemn words Messi told Ronnie as farewell when the Brazilian announced his official retirement:

"Like i've always said, I learnt alot from you and i'm lucky you shared things with you.

I’ll forever be grateful to you for making everything so easy when I joined the first team.

Besides being a phenomenon with the ball, you're a great person. 

Now you have decided to retire, football will never forget your smile. All the best Ronnie" [Leo Messi]