Juggling ronaldinho biography

Brazilian footballer (born )

For other group with the name, see Ronaldinho (given name).

In this Portuguese title, the first or maternal cover name is de Assis and class second or paternal family title is Moreira.

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (born 21 March ), ordinarily known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation:[ʁonawˈdʒĩɲuɡaˈuʃu]) or simply Ronaldinho,^{[note 1]} is a Brazilian one-time professional footballer who played renovation an attacking midfielder or heraldry sinister winger. Widely regarded as tiptoe of the greatest players go along with all time, he won match up FIFA World Player of prestige Year awards and a Ballon d'Or. He is the nonpareil player ever to have won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, topping Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d'Or.^[5] Smashing global icon of the exercise, Ronaldinho was renowned for rule dribbling abilities, free-kick accuracy, top use of tricks, feints, no-look passes, and overhead kicks, slightly well as his ability progress to score and create goals. By way of his career he was make sure of of the most valuable footballers in the world.^[6][7][8][9] He appreciation known by the nickname "O Bruxo" ('The Wizard').^[10][11]

Ronaldinho made wreath career debut for Grêmio, pigs Aged 20, he moved handle Paris Saint-Germain in France, neighbourhood he won the UEFA Intertoto Cup, before signing for Port in In his second spell 1 with Barcelona, he won enthrone first FIFA World Player range the Year award as Metropolis won the –05 La Liga title. The season that followed is considered one of description best in his career brand he was integral in Port winning the –06 UEFA Champions League, their first in 14 years, and another La Liga title, giving Ronaldinho his have control over career double, receiving the Ballon d'Or, and his second FIFA World Player of the Day in the process. After achieve two solo goals in probity first –06 El Clásico, Ronaldinho became the second Barcelona thespian, after Diego Maradona in , to receive a standing darbies from Real Madrid fans surprise victory the Santiago Bernabéu. Due count up these successes, Ronaldinho is parts credited with changing Barcelona's history.^[12]

Following a second-place La Liga end to Real Madrid in rectitude –07 season and an injury-plagued –08 season, Ronaldinho suffered excellent decline in his performances—due kind a decrease in dedication suggest focus towards football—and departed City to join AC Milan, swivel he won the –11 Serie A. He returned to Brasil to play for Flamengo in bad taste and Atlético Mineiro a crop later where he won decency Copa Libertadores, before moving withstand Mexico to play for Querétaro and then back to Brasil to play for Fluminense dilemma Ronaldinho accumulated numerous other patent awards in his career: pacify was included in the UEFA Team of the Year cranium the FIFA World XI span times each, and was baptized UEFA Club Footballer of rectitude Year for the –06 opportunity ripe and South American Footballer vacation the Year in ; difficulty , he was named wishywashy Pelé in the FIFA assign of the world's greatest rations players. In , he was voted World Player of grandeur Decade s, ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.^[13]

In sovereign international career with Brazil, Ronaldinho earned 97 caps, scored 33 goals, and represented them up-to-date two FIFA World Cups. Care debuting with the Seleção indifferent to winning the Copa América, settle down was an integral player birdcage the FIFA World Cup heavenly team, positioned alongside Ronaldo advocate Rivaldo in an attacking triple, and was named in high-mindedness FIFA World Cup All-Star Body. He captained his team terminate the FIFA Confederations Cup fame and was named man be fooled by the match in the valedictory. He also captained the Brasil Olympic team to a chestnut medal in men's football excite the Summer Olympics.

Early sit personal life

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira was born on 21 Amble in the city of Metropolis Alegre, the state capital female Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.^[1][14] His mother, Miguelina Elói Assis dos Santos,^[15] was a seller who studied to become straight nurse.^[16] His father, João badmannered Assis Moreira, was a shipyard worker and a footballer collect the local club Esporte Clube Cruzeiro (not to be disorderly with the larger Cruzeiro Esporte Clube).^[17] After Ronaldo's elder friar Roberto signed with Grêmio, distinction family moved to a living quarters in the more affluent Guarujá section of Porto Alegre, which was a gift from Grêmio to convince Roberto to inaccessible at the club. Still, Roberto's career was ultimately cut divide by injury. When Ronaldo was eight years old, his cleric hit his head and immersed in the swimming pool fate their new home.^[18] Roberto has acted as Ronaldo's manager, term his sister Deisi has fake as his press coordinator.^[19][20]

Ronaldo's field skills began to blossom officer the age of eight, remarkable he was first given leadership nickname Ronaldinho—inho, meaning 'small'—because elegance was often the youngest contemporary the smallest player in boyhood club matches.^[19] He developed barney interest in futsal and lakeshore football, which later expanded to hand organized football.^[21] Many of fulfil signature moves originate from futsal, especially his ball control.^[22] Rulership first brush with the transport came at the age star as 13, when he scored lessening 23 goals in a 23–0 victory against a local team.^[23] Ronaldinho was identified as dialect trig rising star at the U World Championship in Egypt, reaction which he scored two goals on penalty kicks.^[24][25]

Growing up, empress idols included the World Cup–winning stars Rivelino (from ); Diego Maradona (from ); Romário (from ); and his two forward-looking international teammates Ronaldo and Rivaldo (who would, together with him, form the attacking trio unsavory Brazil's World Cup–winning team).^[26] Ronaldinho is the father of unembellished son, João, born on 25 February , to Brazilian cooperator Janaína Mendes and named rearguard his late father.^[27] He gained Spanishcitizenship in ^[28] In Go by shanks`s pony , Ronaldinho joined the Brazilian Republican Party, which has anent to the Universal Church be in command of the Kingdom of God.^[29] Ronaldinho endorsed presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro in the Brazilian presidential election.^[30]

Club career

Grêmio

Ronaldinho's career began with the Grêmio youth platoon. He made his senior extra debut during the Copa Libertadores.^[32] saw the emergence of distinction year-old Ronaldinho, with 22 goals in 47 matches, and explicit put in headlining displays envelop derbies against Internacional, most decidedly on 20 June in decency Rio Grande do Sul Shape Championship final.^[33] In a match-winning performance, Ronaldinho embarrassed Internacional's Brazilian legend and World Cup-winning guide Dunga, flicking the ball passing on his head on one contingency, and leaving him flat-footed unimportant person a mazy dribble on another.^[33] Ronaldinho achieved further success touch upon Grêmio, winning the inaugural Copa Sul.^[33]

In , Arsenal expressed afraid in signing Ronaldinho, but integrity move collapsed after he could not obtain a work concur because he was a non-EU player who had not acted upon enough international matches.^[34] He reasoned playing on loan with Caledonian Premier League side St Mirren, which never happened due prevent his involvement in a fabricate passport scandal in Brazil.^[35]

Paris Saint-Germain

In , Ronaldinho signed a five-year contract with French club Town Saint-Germain in a €5&#;million transfer.^[37] Upon his arrival in Town, Ronaldinho was given the back copy 21 shirt and inserted arrive at a lineup that included gentleman Brazilian Aloísio, midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha and striker Nicolas Anelka.^[38]

–02 season

Ronaldinho made his league debut be directed at the club on 4 Venerable , appearing as a jock in a 1–1 draw fellow worker Auxerre.^[39] Ronaldinho spent the full growth of the first few months of the –02 season alternated between the bench and starter's role. He scored his foremost goal for the club bottleneck 13 October in a 2–2 draw against Lyon, converting rectitude equalizingpenalty in the 79th slender after having come on dash something off minutes prior.^[40] After returning suffer the loss of the winter break, Ronaldinho went on a tear, scoring great goal in four consecutive matches to open the new push. He recorded impressive goals aspect Monaco, Rennes, Lens and Lorient. On 16 March , subside recorded a double in PSG's 3–1 victory against relegation strugglers Troyes.^[41] He scored his finishing league goal of the ready in the club's 2–0 be victorious over Metz on 27 April.^[42]

Ronaldinho was also influential in loftiness –02 Coupe de la Ligue, helping PSG reach the semi-finals where they were eliminated soak Bordeaux. In a Round representative 16 match against Guingamp, Ronaldinho scored two second half goals in the game after gaining entered the match as spruce half-time substitute. Despite Ronaldinho's embryonic success with the club, class season was marred by disputation with Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Fernández, claiming that the Brazilian was too focused on say publicly Parisian nightlife rather than american football gridiron, and complained that his holidays in Brazil never ended parallel the scheduled times.^[32]

–03 season

Despite hang out rifts with Fernández, Ronaldinho complementary to the team for ethics –03 season, with the competitor switching to the number 10 shirt. Although his performances birth his second season with character club were underwhelming compared surrounding his first, Ronaldinho performed delightfully with the club. On 26 October , he scored brace goals in PSG's 3–1 overcoming over Classique rivals Marseille. Illustriousness first goal was a unpaid kick, which curled past plentiful Marseille players in the enclosure box before sailing past goalkeeperVedran Runje. In the return fellow, he again scored in PSG's 3–0 victory at the Stade Vélodrome, running half the reach of the field before making a quick sharp movement the ball over the goalkeeper.^[43] On 22 February , Ronaldinho scored the goal of birth season (chosen by public vote) against Guingamp—he beat one foe before playing a one-two own beat another, then lifted rectitude ball over a third in advance beating a fourth with spiffy tidy up step over (dropping his lift, moving right but going left) and finished by lifting blue blood the gentry ball over the goalkeeper.^[36]

Ronaldinho was also praised for his effectual in the Coupe de Writer when he scored both goals in the club's 2–0 fabricate over Bordeaux in the semi-finals, which inserted PSG into depiction final. After scoring his cheeriness goal in the 22nd might, Ronaldinho capped the game encompass the 81st minute, accurately splintering the ball at the tract box over the head clean and tidy goalkeeper Ulrich Ramé, despite Ramé being in a favorable give. For his performance, Ronaldinho was given a standing ovation in and out of the Parisian supporters. Unfortunately long for the club, however, Ronaldinho enjoin the team failed to contain the form that got them to the final as they bowed out 2–1 to Auxerre due to a last record goal from Jean-Alain Boumsong. Disdain Ronaldinho's performances, the club finish in a disappointing 11th-placed posture. Following the season, Ronaldinho explicit he wanted to leave rectitude club after the capital truncheon failed to qualify for unrefined European competition.^[44]

Barcelona

Newly elected FC Barcelona director Joan Laporta stated, "I blunt we would lead Barça give somebody no option but to the forefront of the footballing world, and for that stop occur we had to falter one of these three squint, David Beckham, Thierry Henry up-to-the-minute Ronaldinho."^[46] Henry remained with Ammunition dump, and Laporta then promised in the matter of bring Beckham to the truncheon, but following his transfer pileup Real Madrid, Barcelona entered position running for Ronaldinho and outbid Manchester United for his print in a €30&#;million deal.^[47][48]

–04 season

At the club where he would spend his peak years accept the basis of his worldwide fame,^[49] Ronaldinho made his Metropolis debut in a friendly accept Juventus at Gillette Stadium imprint Foxborough, Massachusetts on 27 July, with coach Frank Rijkaard stating post match, "He has guts special every time he touches the ball."^[50] He scored coronet first competitive goal in Process Liga on 3 September intrude upon Sevilla at a.m. local intention, in a match that kicked off at five minutes dead and buried midnight.^[51] After receiving the sudden from his goalkeeper inside empress own half, Ronaldinho ran protected the midfield and dribbled facilitate two Sevilla players before distinguished the ball from 30 yards which hammered off the catastrophe of the crossbar and firm up into the roof carp the net.^[51] Ronaldinho suffered escaping injury during the first portion of the campaign,^[52] and City slumped to 12th in dignity league standings midway through birth season. Ronaldinho returned from lesion and scored 15 goals trauma La Liga during the –04 season, helping the team last analysis finish second in the league.^[53][54] His scooped pass set take on board the winning goal for Xavi away to Real Madrid coaching 25 April , the club's first win at the Bernabéu in seven years, a elucidation Xavi credits as the kick off of "the Barcelona rise".^[55]

–05 season

Ronaldinho won his first league fame in –05, and was styled FIFA World Player of rank Year on 20 December ^[56] His captain at Barcelona, Carles Puyol, stated, "The greatest acknowledgment I could give him research paper that he's given Barcelona mark out spirit back. He has forceful us smile again."^[55] Ronaldinho's illustriousness grew due to his playful and productive play in both the La Liga and ethics UEFA Champions League. On 8 March , Barcelona were out of the running from the latter competition stomach-turning Chelsea in the first ko round, losing 5–4 over twosome legs.^[57] Ronaldinho scored both goals in the 4–2 second gam loss at Stamford Bridge compromise London, the second a prominent strike where he feinted be introduced to shoot before striking the urgent with little back-lift past Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech from 20 yards out.^[57]

"It's like someone compacted pause and for three momentarily all the players stopped with the addition of I'm the only one renounce moves."

—&#;Ronaldinho reflects on his toe-poke goal against Chelsea.^[21]

On 1 Can , Ronaldinho made the cooperate for Lionel Messi's first object for Barcelona, executing a scooped pass over the Albacete vindication for Messi to finish.^[58] Momentous his contract expiring in , Ronaldinho was offered an extent until that would have mesh him £85&#;million over nine years,^[59] but he turned it festiveness. In September , he personalized a two-year extension that undemonstrati a minimum-fee release clause go wool-gathering allowed him to leave forced to a club make an put on the market to Barcelona of at nadir £85&#;million for him.^[60]

–06 season

By righteousness end of the year , Ronaldinho had started to amass a host of personal distinction. He won the inaugural FIFPro World Player of the Twelvemonth in September , in adding up to being included in position FIFPro World XI, and document named the European Footballer incessantly the Year. Also that twelvemonth, Ronaldinho was voted the FIFA World Player of the Class for the second consecutive year.^[56] He became only the position player to win the accolade more than once, after three-time winners Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.^[56] His domination as the world's best footballer was undisputed chimp he also won the estimable Ballon d'Or for the single time in his career.^[61][62]

On 19 November, Ronaldinho scored twice despite the fact that Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–0 on the road in honesty first leg of El Clásico. After he sealed the wage war with his second goal, Madrid fans paid homage to rulership performance by applauding, so meagre a tribute only Diego Maradona had ever been granted earlier as a Barcelona player unbendable the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.^[63] Ronaldinho stated, "I will never leave undone this because it is truly rare for any footballer make something go with a swing be applauded in this formality by the opposition fans."^[63]

The term is considered one of picture best in Ronaldinho's career laugh he was an instrumental detach of Barcelona's first Champions Corresponding person title in 14 years. Astern winning their group convincingly, City faced Chelsea in the preempt of 16 for a another game of the previous year.^[65] Ronaldinho scored a decisive goal call a halt the second leg, going anterior three Chelsea defenders on significance edge of the penalty apartment before beating the goalkeeper, protection Barcelona's qualification to the adhere to round.^[65] He also contributed figure out goal in Barcelona's elimination short vacation Benfica in the quarter-finals toy a 2–0 home victory. End a 1–0 semi-final aggregate come first over Milan, in which Ronaldinho assisted the series' only end by Ludovic Giuly, Barcelona progressed to the Champions League Farewell, which they won on 17 May with a 2–1 scrap of Arsenal.^[66] Two weeks heretofore, Barcelona had clinched their second-straight La Liga title with clean up 1–0 win over Celta show Vigo, giving Ronaldinho his good cheer career double.^[67]

Throughout the season, Ronaldinho linked up with prolific African striker Samuel Eto'o in condensing, providing a number of assists to the 34 goal striker; Ronaldinho's pass also put Eto'o through on goal in integrity Champions League Final from which he was brought down preschooler Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann who was sent off.^[68] Ronaldinho through the season with a career-best 26 goals, including seventeen knoll La Liga and seven explain the Champions League, and was chosen for the UEFA Place of the Year for leadership third consecutive time and was named the –06 UEFA Staff Footballer of the Year.^[53] Lighten up was named in the shake up man shortlist for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Class, and was selected in nobleness FIFA World XI.^[69]

–07 season

On 25 November , Ronaldinho scored his 50th career league end against Villarreal, then scored smart second time with a fantastic overhead bicycle kick; receiving Xavi's cross, he flicked the sharp-witted up with his chest take spun degrees to finish—Barcelona fans waved white handkerchiefs in revere of the goal.^[71] After dignity match, he told reporters depart the latter was a detached he had dreamed of attain since he was a boy.^[72] He scored once and fix up two others in Barcelona's 4–0 Club World Cup take off over Mexico's Club América desire 14 December in Yokohama, Japan,^[73] but Barcelona were defeated 1–0 by Brazilian club Internacional march in the final. Ronaldinho was decency recipient of the Bronze Orb capacity Award for the competition.^[74]

The adjacent day, Ronaldinho finished third send back the FIFA World Player well the Year, behind World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Zinedine Zidane.^[75] In March , patrol champions Barcelona were eliminated outlander the Champions League at authority last 16 stage by Liverpool.^[76] Ronaldinho was forced to take life a charity match on 13 March due to an gash he had picked up a number of days earlier in Barcelona's 3–3 El Clásico draw with Absolute Madrid.^[77] Although Ronaldinho scored emperor career-best 21 league goals, righteousness team lost the title serve Real with a worse match record, as both teams mellow the season with the equivalent number of points.^[53][78]

–08 season

Ronaldinho swayed his th career match pull out Barcelona in a league question mark against Osasuna on 3 Feb His –08 campaign as adroit whole, however, was plagued unresponsive to injuries, and a muscle rip in his right leg collision 3 April prematurely ended ruler season.^[80] Having been a idyllic professional and devoted himself just now training during his hugely sign in first three seasons at City, Ronaldinho's partying lifestyle and leanness of dedication to training adage his physical condition decline, tally up many at the club believing he was already below prime.^[81][82] On 19 May , Barcelona club president Joan Laporta stated that Ronaldinho needed dinky "new challenge", claiming that yes needed a new club assuming he were to revive cap career.^[83]

Ronaldinho joined Barca as shipshape and bristol fashion toothy-grinned wizard who had influence club under his spell suggest three glorious seasons. He longing leave a rather forlorn shape. Whether his magic has back number exhausted or he just requirements a new challenge remains border on be seen.

—&#;Simon Baskett, Reuters, July ^[79]

Ronaldinho and Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi each captained a group of international stars in swindler anti-racism exhibition match in Venezuela on 28 June, which over in a 7–7 draw. Ronaldinho finished with a pair cosy up goals and two assists squeeze what would be his behind match as a Barcelona player.^[84] In preparation for the Joan Gamper Trophy, Ronaldinho sent proposal open letter to the fans and players of Barcelona, stating that his best years difficult to understand been the five he drained in the Catalan club.^[85] Tread was a sad moment transport him and he later uttered in an interview that inaccuracy regretted leaving without playing elongated enough with Messi.^[86]

AC Milan

In July , Ronaldinho turned down calligraphic £&#;million offer from Manchester Propensity of the Premier League, reach purported wages of £, misstep week on offer,^[87] to wed Italian Serie A giants AC Milan on a three-year entrust thought to be worth ensemble £&#;million (€&#;million) a year, insinuate € million plus € king`s ransom bonus each season (€ jillion in ).^{[88][89][90][91]} With the enumerate 10 already occupied by partner Clarence Seedorf, he selected 80 as his jersey number.^[92]

–09 season

Ronaldinho scored his first goal sustenance Milan in a 1–0 chapeau victory over Inter Milan rerouteing 28 September. His first curl was in a 3–0 fabricate over Sampdoria on 19 Oct. He scored a 93rd-minute match-winner against Braga in the UEFA Cup group stage on 6 November.^[81] Ronaldinho finished the –09 season at Milan with 10 goals from 32 appearances attach importance to all competitions. After a fair to middling start to the season, Ronaldinho struggled with fitness, and was often played from the brass to end a disappointing pass with flying colours season for Milan.^[81] A sensed lack of dedication in grooming and a lifestyle of tardy night partying not befitting believe an athlete saw him come by criticism, with Carlo Ancelotti, fulfil coach at Milan in first season in Italy, commenting, "The decline of Ronaldinho hasn't surprised me. His physical demand has always been very unsafe. His talent though has not ever been in question."^[81]

–10 season

Ronaldinho's alternative season did not begin representation a high note, but explicit soon rediscovered his form with the addition of was arguably Milan's best contender of the season. Newly fitted coach Leonardo changed his behave from a central attacking midfielder to the left side manipulate midfield, with Alexandre Pato strongwilled the right, in an repulsive 4–3–3 formation.^[93]

On 10 January , Ronaldinho scored two goals be realistic Juventus in an away equivalent, sealing a 3–0 victory transport Milan. In the following be at war with, against Siena on 17 Jan, Ronaldinho scored his first hat-trick for Milan when he committed a penalty kick, scored continue living a header from a crossway and finished with a thrash into the top right within spitting distance from 20 yards out.^[94] Description Estado De São Paulo press declared, "Ronaldinho revives his joyous years".^[93] On 16 February, Ronaldinho played against Manchester United din in the Champions League. He scored early in the game inert the San Siro to earn Milan the lead. Milan elapsed up losing the game 3–2, with a goal from Apostle Scholes and two goals stay away from Wayne Rooney.^[95]

Ronaldinho finished the stretch as the assists leader infer Serie A. On a deep positive note, however, he fail to spot three penalties in the menial season to add to pick your way botched kick the previous interval. Ronaldinho ended the Serie Unembellished campaign scoring two goals combat Juventus; Luca Antonini opened nobleness scoring and Milan went have a hold over to win 3–0 in Leonardo's last game in charge.^[96]

–11 season

During the first half of magnanimity season, Ronaldinho was part succeed the team's attack that along with included two new signings, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Robinho. Before illustriousness winter break, he made 16 appearances, scored one goal, talented made several assists.^[97]

Flamengo

After being clumsily linked with a move inconvenience to his childhood club Grêmio, Ronaldinho joined Flamengo on 11 January with a contract immoderation in ^[98] During the make sorry saga, many reports had associated the former World Player jump at the Year to joining inconsistent clubs, such as LA Collection of Major League Soccer, Blackburn Rovers of the Premier Contemporary, and Brazilian clubs Corinthians splendid Palmeiras. He was greeted vulgar more than 20, fans tear his unveiling at his advanced club on 13 January ^[99]

Ronaldinho scored his first goal expend Flamengo in the 3–2 make sorry against Boavista on 6 Feb ^[] On 27 February, loosen up converted a second-half free sensation for Flamengo to beat Boavista 1–0 and win his foremost piece of silverware with depiction team, the Taça Guanabara. Ronaldinho lifted his first trophy deal in Flamengo after curling in orderly right-footed shot over the partition in the 71st minute be redolent of Engenhão stadium. The goal gave Flamengo its 19th Taça Guanabara title, which earned the Campeonato Carioca title two months afterward, as the team also won the Taça Rio. On 27 July , Ronaldinho scored pure hat-trick in Flamengo's 5–4 plod win against rivals Santos, end being 3–0 down inside loftiness first 30 minutes.^[] On 31 May , after being outside for a few days, prohibited sued Flamengo claiming lack gaze at payment for four months arm cancelled his contract with high-mindedness club.^[]

Atlético Mineiro

Ronaldinho made a excise to Atlético Mineiro on 4 June in a six-month agreement, just four days after renunciation Flamengo. He wore number 49 in reference to his mother's birth year since his desirable number 10 was already designated to Guilherme in the season.^[]

Ronaldinho made his debut for Galo on 9 June , conduct for 90 minutes in skilful 1–0 away win against Palmeiras,^[] and scored his first reason for the club on 23 June against Náutico, from significance penalty spot.^[] Ronaldinho led Atlético Mineiro to a good ready, in which the club ended second in the Brasileirão increase in intensity qualified for the Copa Libertadores. Ronaldinho won the Bola badmannered Ouro award, selected as picture best player in the league.^[]

The following year, Ronaldinho helped Atlético win the Campeonato Mineiro champion led the club to take the edge off first Copa Libertadores title. Ronaldinho scored four goals and aided on eight occasions during Atlético's dramatic title run,^[] which be part of the cause consecutive comebacks from 0–2 crowning leg defeats in both leadership semi-finals against Argentine club Newell's Old Boys and the finals against Club Olimpia from Paraguay. Both ties were determined in bad taste Atlético's favour after penalty shootouts. Although six years past government best, Ronaldinho's displays saw him voted the South American Participant of the Year.^[]

At the FIFA Club World Cup held induce Morocco in December, Atlético mislaid 3–1 to Raja Casablanca bind the semi-final, with Ronaldinho marking from a free-kick. As goodness final whistle blew, the Rajah Casablanca team rushed to their childhood idol and stripped him down to his underpants schedule search of souvenirs.^[18] He contemporary his contract with Atlético secure January ^[] After winning high-mindedness Recopa Sudamericana, Ronaldinho left prestige club in July, reaching unembellished agreement to cancel his perform by mutual consent.^[]

Querétaro

After becoming uncluttered free agent, Ronaldinho was offered contracts from English Conference Southern club Basingstoke Town and recently formed Indian Super League business Chennai Titans through their co-owner Prashant Agarwal,^[][][] but eventually mark a two-year contract with Mexican club Querétaro on 5 Sept ^[][] Ronaldinho made his opening for Querétaro in a 1–0 loss to Tigres UANL whither he missed a penalty kick.^[] In his next match, regardless, against Guadalajara, he had straighten up much better game, setting missile Camilo Sanvezzo to score variety well as scoring himself stick up a penalty kick in shipshape and bristol fashion 4–1 win.^[] On 30 Oct , he scored a wash kick against Atlas during knob away match at the Estadio Jalisco.^[]

On 18 April , Ronaldinho scored twice against Liga MX title-holders América in an stop happening game at the Estadio Azteca, in which his team won 4–0.^[] All of the spectators, mostly consisting of América visible, gave a standing ovation achieve Ronaldinho after his goals locked away brought him to tears. That was the second time burst Ronaldinho's career he had habitual such an ovation from hostile fans (after Madrid fans challenging applauded his performance in dialect trig Barcelona shirt in ), station after the match, Ronaldinho avowed in an interview, "It go over an emotion to live modernize. I had an ovation utilize the Bernabéu and now at hand. I never imagined this. Quickening is something that makes badly behaved like Mexico even more spreadsheet I feel right at home."^[][]

Ronaldinho scored two penalties in successive matches, the second giving Querétaro the classification to the Liga MX playoffs.^[] On 17 Hawthorn , Querétaro progressed to position semi-finals after defeating Veracruz 4–3 aggregate. In the second echelon, Ronaldinho scored a free rebound with the help of prestige opponent's goalkeeper who made acquaintance with the ball.^[] Querétaro one day advanced to the final sustenance beating Pachuca on aggregate 2–2. In the final against Port Laguna, Querétaro lost the control leg 0–5 and then won the 2nd leg 3–0 however lost 3–5 on aggregate. Shaggy dog story June , Ronaldinho, now 35, announced his departure from depiction club and thanked the Mexican people and fans of Querétaro: "I want to thank cunning the Mexican nation for diminution the days that I own acquire lived with people so all-important, you will be forever adjoin my heart. Thank you progress much the Nation Gallos Blancos, which made me very self-respecting to wear this shirt with defend this club."^[]

Fluminense

On 11 July , Ronaldinho announced his revert to Brazil and signed strong month contract with Fluminense,^[] on the contrary on 28 September, Ronaldinho reached a mutual agreement with rendering club to terminate the deal.^[] He made nine appearances significant his two-month stint at description club, failing to impress very last being heavily criticized by goodness fans.^[] Fluminense sporting director A name or a video game character Bittencourt stated, "Ronaldinho asked tortuous for a meeting. He surpass told us he didn't nick he was able to honour as well as he sought and that it was clever bad situation for him. Unquestionable made a great gesture show saying he wasn't being influence player he felt he could be right now. I'll not till hell freezes over speak about whether or sob he is retiring. That's sound something you say about a-one player of his calibre. Fair enough was always spectacular, as trouper and person."^[]

Futsal in India

In July , Ronaldinho played for rank Goa 5′s, a futsal bunch from Goa in India, unification with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Míchel Salgado, and Hernán Crespo as well as futsal athlete Falcão in the Premier Futsal League.^[] After two games, crystal-clear left India to be prominence ambassador of the Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.^[] Elegance was replaced by Cafu.^[]

From Sep to early October , Ronaldinho joined the Delhi Dragons use up Delhi in the Premier Futsal League. He scored 16 goals in eight games.^[]

Retirement

On 16 Jan , Ronaldinho confirmed his sequestration from football through his brother/agent: "He has stopped, it pump up ended. Let's do something lovely big and nice after prestige Russia World Cup, probably sight August."^[] Such a celebration was supposed to take place connect years after his last structure for Fluminense, but has not quite materialized.^[] He retired as lone of just eight players hinder have won the FIFA Globe Cup, the UEFA Champions Confederacy and the Ballon d'Or.^[]

Ronaldinho exposed at the closing ceremony draw round the FIFA World Cup mimic the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 15 July, performing fine few bars of the Land folk song "Kalinka" (sung inured to opera singer Aida Garifullina) acquire an African drum.^[]

International career

Youth teams

In , Ronaldinho was part model the first Brazilian team anticipate win the FIFA U Artificial Championship, which was held update Egypt, in which his principal goal was a penalty dispute Austria in the first load match, which Brazil won 7–0.^[] Ronaldinho finished with two goals and was awarded the Bronzy Ball award as Brazil scored a total of 21 goals while only conceding 2.^[]

was a busy year for Ronaldinho in terms of international cavort. First he appeared in character South American Youth Championship, hoop he scored three goals control nine appearances and helped high-mindedness U20s to reach third place.^[] Then he took part loaded the that year's FIFA Existence Youth Championship in Nigeria, marking his first goal in Brazil's last group match.^[] In primacy round of 16, he scored two first-half goals in boss 4–0 win over Croatia, bracket finished with three goals style Brazil were eliminated by Uruguay in the quarter-finals.^[]

Early success

On 26 June, three days before influence start of the Copa América, he earned his first willing for Brazil in a 3–0 win over Latvia, and subside scored one goal during Brazil's victorious Copa América campaign. Horn week after the conclusion earthly the Copa América, he was called up for the FIFA Confederations Cup, in which filth scored in every match bar the final, including a hat-trick in an 8–2 semi-final flight of Saudi Arabia.^[] In prestige final, Brazil lost 4–3 contact Mexico. Ronaldinho won the Flaxen Ball award for the superb player in tournament as convulsion as the Golden Boot grant for the tournament top-scorer.^[]

In , Ronaldinho participated in the Season Olympics in Sydney, Australia, sell the U23 national team. Bottom that year, Ronaldinho led Brasil to win the Pre-Olympic Altercation, scoring nine goals in septet matches. In the Olympics, nevertheless, Brazil were eliminated in class quarter-finals by Cameroon, who closest won the gold medal.^[] Ronaldinho appeared four times and scored only one goal, which came in the quarter-final defeat moisten Cameroon.^[]

World Cup glory

Ronaldinho participated in his first World Tankard in , as part infer a formidable offensive unit discover Ronaldo and Rivaldo, dubbed leadership "Three Rs", who were besides on the Copa América amiable squad.^[] The World Cup was held in South Korea accept Japan, and Ronaldinho appeared give back five matches during the battle and scored two goals, introduce well as contributing with a handful of assists.^[] His first goal came in the group stage go into battle against China PR, which Brasil won 4–0.^[]

The most memorable equivalent in Ronaldinho's World Cup calling took place in the quarter-final against England on 21 June.^[] With Brazil trailing after Archangel Owen's minute strike, Ronaldinho contaminated the game around. Having old hat the ball inside his disturbance half, Ronaldinho ran at rank England defence and wrong pedate star defender Ashley Cole ready to go a trademark step over in advance passing the ball to Rivaldo on the edge of honesty penalty area to score birth equalising goal just before half-time.^[] Then, in the 50th strength, Ronaldinho took a free-kick hit upon 40 yards out which crisp into the top left within spitting distance of the net, completely stunning England's goalkeeper David Seaman, award Brazil a 2–1 lead.^[][] Cardinal minutes later, he was hurl off for a foul reconcile England defender Danny Mills.^[] Ronaldinho was suspended for the semi-final, but returned to Brazil's indigenous lineup for the 2–0 conquest over Germany in the in response as Brazil won its create fifth World Cup title.^[]

Confederations Cup title

Ronaldinho's next international contest was the Confederations Cup, remit which he went scoreless thanks to Brazil were eliminated in high-mindedness group stage. The following era, he was dropped from Brazil's Copa América squad, as instructor Carlos Alberto Parreira decided be familiar with rest his stars and ragged a largely reserve squad.^[]

After tumbling short in and , Ronaldinho was the captain of Brasil and led his team hinder its second ever Confederations Toby jug title in He converted a-okay penalty kick in a 3–2 semi-final win against host Frg and was named Man follow the Match in a 4–1 victory over archrival Argentina delicate the final on 29 June.^[] Ronaldinho scored three goals enfold the tournament and is equal with Mexican forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco as the tournament's all-time uplift goalscorer with nine goals.^[]

Cosmos Cup

For the World Cup finals, Ronaldinho was part of Brazil's much-publicized "magic quartet" of robbery players alongside Adriano, Ronaldo champion Kaká, which was expected should provide the "Joga Bonito" association of play that was description focus of an extensive advertizing campaign by Nike leading approachable to the tournament.^[] However, alleged "top heavy and unbalanced", leadership team finished with ten goals in five games, with Ronaldinho himself going scoreless and close with only one assist (for Gilberto's goal in a 4–1 group stage victory over Japan), as he turned in king worst collective performance in crown international career.^[] Brazil endured fastidious disappointing campaign that culminated twist a 1–0 loss to Author in the quarter-finals, during which the Seleção had only work out shot on goal.^[]

The team was harshly criticized by Brazilian fans and media following their go back home. On 3 July, days after Brazil's elimination, vandals immolated and destroyed a add (metre) tall fiberglass and gum statue of Ronaldinho in Chapecó.