Castelldefels (Spain: Ronaldinho danced, danced and danced. It was 5.15 a.m. in Castelldefels, near Barcelona, and the player was far from calling it quits after a night of partying.

Some 1,400 kilometres away, his teammates slept; they were playing Manchester United on the following day, in a game they eventually lost and which put an end to an era that the Brazilian once led.

By that time, between night and morning, Ronaldinho had already taken off his white shirt and was dancing reggaeton with beautiful women at the nightclub Sandunguita, in which he was the centre of attention. The night had a clear Brazilian accent in a town on the Mediterranean, a few kilometres south of Barcelona.

Seven hours earlier, at around 10.30 p.m., Ronaldinho had dinner with six friends at the Casanova Beach Club, a restaurant and pub that was recently opened on Castelldefells' beachfront. The elegant terrace overlooking the sea was closed on the cold Monday night, April 28.

Inside, only one table is taken, besides that occupied by Ronaldinho and his entourage, who are enjoying a typically Brazilian rodizio with pork chops, beef and picanha (rump cover), with a cake buffet for dessert.

This time the rodizio replaced the pasta and pizza that the player's crowd usually go for at the nearby Casanova. Both restaurants are owned by the Italian Mimo, a friend and protector of the Brazilian.