Ronaldinho
Attacking Midfielder · Barcelona · Brazil
About Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho Gaúcho is the most naturally gifted player of his generation. From the favelas of Porto (POR) Alegre (BRA) he rose to enchant the Camp Nou with an irrepressible joy and technical brilliance that bordered on the supernatural. His two-season peak at Barcelona (ESP) between 2004 and 2006 is still discussed as the most spectacular individual spell in modern football.
Ronaldinho's story
Porto Alegre to the World
Born in working-class Porto (POR) Alegre (BRA), Ronaldinho's father died in a swimming pool accident when he was eight. His older brother Roberto became his manager for life. A futsal prodigy, he once scored all 23 goals in a youth game — 23–0 — and word spread fast across Brazil.
The Camp Nou King
At Barcelona (ESP) under Frank Rijkaard, Ronaldinho produced two seasons so extraordinary that even Real Madrid fans gave him a standing ovation at the Bernabéu. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2005. His partnership with Samuel Eto'o and a young Lionel Messi was the most thrilling front three of the era.
Decline and Controversy
His career declined sharply after 2008. After spells across Europe and South America, he retired in 2018. In 2020 he was arrested in Paraguay for entering the country on a fake passport and spent a month in jail — a sad coda to a brilliant career. He remains football's most-loved showman.
Did you know?
- 🎭 Ronaldinho's elastico — a feint where he moves the ball one way with the outside then snaps it back — became the most-copied skill move in playgrounds worldwide after the 2002 World Cup.
- 👏 He is one of only two players (alongside Rivaldo) to receive a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Bernabéu — November 2005, after scoring twice in a 3–0 win.
- 👨👩👧👦 Never married; has two sons by different partners. Celebrated for his personality as much as his football, he returned to live in Brazil after retiring.
- 🏆 He won the World Cup (2002), the Champions League (2006), and the Copa América (1999) — one of a tiny group to achieve all three.
- 🎮 Ronaldinho was the cover athlete for FIFA Street 2 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 — two of the biggest-selling football game editions of all time.
- 📱 He was the first footballer to reach 100 million Facebook fans — in 2012, while still playing professionally.
- 🎉 At the 2014 World Cup draw ceremony, he was so nervous performing that he fluffed a freestyle trick live on TV — and laughed it off with characteristic warmth.
- 🏠 Despite earning over $100m across his career, Ronaldinho reportedly lost most of his wealth to poor financial management and excessive spending on his party lifestyle.
- 🤝 His closest friend in football was Thierry Henry. The two struck up an unlikely bromance at Barcelona and remain close friends.
Honours
- FIFA World Cup: Brazil (2002)
- La Liga x2: Barcelona (2005, 2006)
- UEFA Champions League: Barcelona (2006)
- Ballon d'Or: 2005
- FIFA World Player of the Year x2: 2004, 2005
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