Ronaldinho wants his football academy to go global

After announcing his retirement from football, world-renowned player Ronaldinho did not instantly end his football career; but instead, got involved in the sport by establishing his own football academy.

Furthermore, the Brazilian-born player now wants to extend his football academy to the rest of the world.

Ronaldinho with the organisers of the Champions League Trophy Tour.

Besides football, Ronaldinho who has played for some of the world's biggest clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and AC Milan has also slowly gotten into music.

Ronaldinho, who was at the Champions League Trophy Tour at Pavilion Shopping Mall, Kuala Lumpur recently, expressed his interest to play for the Malaysia Super League (Liga M) for free as it was his primary interest.

Fans welcomed Ronaldinho in an appearance for the Champions League Trophy Tour.

"I'm not kidding (about playing in Malaysia). I love to play in places where the people are passionate about football and can also accept me well.

"I'm interested in playing for a Malaysian club, maybe I'll play for free, but unfortunately I can't because of the time constraints with my new responsibilities including managing my football academy and my music career," he said.

Ronaldinho admits being excited every time he comes back to Malaysia because of the warm welcome he receives from fans.

The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year made an appearance to grace the Champions League Trophy Tour organised by Heineken in which Malaysia is among the six lucky countries chosen for this tour.

Besides the trophy, The Champions League tour features several memorabilia like the official ball used in the finals as well as signed team jerseys by players who played during the final.

The Champions League Trophy Tour will go to Ethiopia next on April 14 before ending the tour in Greece.

The 2018 Champions League final will take place on 26 May in Ukraine.