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Sports30 years ago: Barcelona VP Gaspart disguised as waiter to sign Ronaldo
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This article recounts the 30th anniversary of FC Barcelona's signing of Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário de Lima in July 1996. Then vice-president Joan Gaspart faced an impossible mission to secure the player, who was locked away with the Brazilian national team in a Miami hotel ahead of the Atlanta Olympics. With a 15-day deadline from PSV Eindhoven and Inter Milan also interested, Gaspart and his team could not reach Ronaldo due to heavy security. In a bizarre turn, Gaspart disguised himself as a waiter carrying a Coca-Cola tray, tricked the bodyguards, entered Ronaldo's room, and closed the contract on the bed. The deal, worth 2.550 billion pesetas (over 15 million euros), was the most expensive transfer at the time.
Source report
Updated on: July 18, 2026 — 06:03 CEST
Yesterday, July 17, marked 30 years since one of FC Barcelona's most brilliant signings — accompanied by a bizarre story in which the club's then vice-president, Joan Gaspart, had to navigate an impossible mission to secure the services of Ronaldo Nazário de Lima. A signing from another era.
Ronaldo had been dazzling for two years at PSV Eindhoven and had decided to leave the team that summer. Barcelona and Inter Milan were his suitors.
Joan Gaspart spoke with Bill Maeyer, president of PSV, and with Ronaldo's representatives, Pitta and Martins, as well as with Branchini, the businessman who held the player's rights in Europe. Ronaldo, for his part, made his position clear:
"I want to sign for Barça. I don't want to stay at PSV. I'm fed up with Advocaat."
He said this before joining the Brazilian squad in Miami for the Atlanta '96 Olympics.
After reaching an agreement with PSV, Barcelona was given a 15-day deadline to finalize the signing with the player. The blaugrana club committed to paying the Dutch team 2.550 billion pesetas (more than €15 million), making this the most expensive transfer at the time. Inter was not willing to pay that amount.
Racing Against the Clock
Barça was racing against time. The countdown had begun, and the emissaries in Miami — Gaspart, Brugueras, Josep Lluís Núñez Jr., and Dr. Josep Borrell — could not find a way to contact the player, who was isolated in the Biltmore Hotel.
Americo Faria, head of the Brazilian delegation, and Mario Lobo Zagallo, the coach, had Ronaldo locked away on a floor guarded by bodyguards.
"The smallest of the security guards was 2.50 meters tall," recalls Gaspart, who was wasting away watching the time pass and Ronaldo not signing.
The Waiter Disguise
So in the end, Gaspart disguised himself as a waiter with a tray and a Coca-Cola. When he reached the floor, he told the security guards that Ronaldo had ordered a drink. They let him through.
When he entered the room, Ronaldo neither recognized him nor believed what was happening. He called his representative, who told him he could sign.
"We closed the contract on the bed of his room and I left with it."
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Part of this Story
The day 'waiter' Joan Gaspart signed Ronaldo for Barcelona