Kobbie Mainoo has disclosed his footballing inspiration, sparking discussions among online fans.
Mainoo has risen to prominence due to his exceptional and composed displays in midfield for Manchester United this season.
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At just 18 years old, he has amassed 16 appearances across all competitions, netting two goals, one of which was a remarkable strike in his team’s thrilling 4-3 triumph over Wolves earlier this month.
In an interview with the club’s official website, the teenage sensation delved into various aspects of his burgeoning football journey.
He singled out Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as the standout teammates he has had the privilege to play alongside.
The midfielder also named his idol. Mainoo replied: “My idol? Growing up, it was Ronaldinho. He’s my favourite player.”
At 43 years old, Ronaldinho is more than double Mainoo’s age, yet the rising star of the Red Devils has chosen the Barcelona legend as his idol, much to the surprise of social media users.
Some jestfully remarked that Mainoo would have been extremely young during Ronaldinho’s prime playing days for the Catalan giants.
One X user wrote: “Ronaldinho was 31 y/o at Flamengo when Mainoo was 6 y/o. Love YouTube comps.”
A second joked: “I’m older than him and barely had the chance to watch Ronaldinho in his prime.”
Another added: “Brother you’re 18 years old. By the time you were old enough to watch dinho he was already on his last legs.”
A fourth user said: “How much of Ronaldinho would this guy have actually seen?! He would’ve been like 3 years old when he went Milan.”
A fifth commented: “Wasn’t he like 2 years old when Ronaldinho was in his prime?”
Ronaldinho was in his mid-twenties when he was shining at Barcelona, having joined the La Liga club before Mainoo was even born.
The Manchester United youngster would have been merely two or three years old when Ronaldinho was making his mark in Spain.
