Jay Jay Okocha Opens Up On Relationship With Ronaldinho, Reveals Why He Left PSG

Former Super Eagles captain Jay Jay Okocha has opened up about his relationship with Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.

Okocha revealed that he enjoyed playing alongside Ronaldinho and admired the Brazilian’s talent, but said their relationship with then-PSG manager Luis Fernandez was difficult.

Fernandez took charge of PSG in December 2000, replacing Philippe Bergeroo, and remained in charge during Okocha’s final two seasons at the French club.

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Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Okocha explained that he and Ronaldinho enjoyed their time together on the pitch and looked forward to training sessions because of the opportunity to watch and learn from each other.

He said, “They found it difficult to play us on the same side. Imagine us at our peak. You know, it was incredible. I was looking forward to every training session just to watch him, and he watched me play as well.

“It was more like, okay, ‘What have you got? What have you got?’ So it was fun.”

Okocha also clarified that neither player was trying to copy the other’s skills. Instead, they admired each other’s abilities and appreciated what they brought to the team.

According to the former Nigerian captain, Ronaldinho was particularly influential because of his personality and the joy he brought to the game.

He said Ronaldinho later acknowledged that he had been inspired by Okocha, particularly because the Brazilian was still young when he arrived at PSG.

“But yeah, I mean, I’m happy that later on he could say that he got inspired by me and also by the way I took him because he was young when he came and all that,” Okocha said.

He added that there was no rivalry between them and that he simply enjoyed watching Ronaldinho play.

Okocha also revealed that his difficult relationship with Fernandez was a major reason behind his decision to leave PSG for Bolton Wanderers in 2002.

He said the manager often criticised him and Ronaldinho for their relaxed and expressive personalities, including moments when they smiled or laughed in the dressing room.

“And I mean, he was a great person as well because he was always smiling. And we had a lot of issues with Fernandez, and I couldn’t understand why. And, to be honest, that was why I left,” Okocha said.