BRANDON Thomas-Asante has revealed Brazilian legend Ronaldinho is the player who inspired him to become a professional footballer.
The Coventry City forward took inspiration from Ronaldinho’s flamboyant style of play at a young age and even tried to emulate his hero when he first started playing the game.
Speaking to the EFL’s YouTube channel as part of their ‘My Football Icon’ series, Thomas-Asante waxed lyrical about the former Barcelona and AC Milan star who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002.
Thomas-Asante told the EFL’s YouTube channel: “He always had a smile on his face, he brought that joy and expression to football. That’s what I latched onto in the first place, that got me into the sport I now know and love.
“What made him so special to me is that I never remember him losing his head, or not enjoying the game. He put all of his energy into making people entertained and happy.
“He inspired more than a generation. He made an impact on my career as I tried to emulate him when I first started to play the game.
“I remember my neighbours would always talk about how I’d go to the shop with a ball at my feet and that definitely comes from him.
“My greatest Ronaldinho memory was when he dropped however many Real Madrid players and put the ball in the back of the net. The whole of the Bernabeu were applauding him for that beautiful moment, regardless of the team they supported – everyone knew what beautiful football looked like and that was a wholesome moment.
“At times people can use football to divide but that was a moment where everyone was united.
“He brought a love for the art, the beauty and the entertainment that inspires people to get into football.”
Throughout Black History Month, the EFL is celebrating the influence of black footballers throughout history by asking players and managers about who inspired them for their My Football Icon series.
To watch the episode in full visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN-zOz-pzZk
