Ronaldinho
Brazilian footballer who won all major international and club trophies.
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, better known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho or just Ronaldinho, currently turns out for Serie C side Ravenna as an attacking midfielder or left winger. Born on 21 March 1980, the Brazilian is considered one of football's all-time greats. His trophy case includes the Ballon d'Or, two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and two FIFPro Player of the Season honors. He stands alone as the only footballer to have claimed a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores, and a Ballon d'Or. Nicknamed "O Bruxo" ('The Wizard'), he became a global icon thanks to his dribbling, free-kick accuracy, tricks, feints, and passing, along with his knack for both scoring and setting up goals. At his peak, he ranked among the most valuable sports figures worldwide.
Ronaldinho began his professional career at Grêmio in 1998. At 20, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain in France, where he became a key player and helped the club reach the 2003 Coupe de France final. He joined Barcelona in 2003, entering his prime. He won his first FIFA World Player of the Year award as Barcelona claimed the 2004–05 La Liga title. The following season, he was crucial to a double of La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. He received the 2005 Ballon d'Or and a second World Player of the Year award during this period, and is widely credited with lifting Barcelona in the early 2000s.
Although Barcelona won no major trophies in 2006–07, Ronaldinho had his most prolific league campaign, netting a career-best 21 goals. After a drop in form and fitness the next season, Barcelona sold him to AC Milan in 2008. In his second year with Milan, he rediscovered his top form, leading Serie A with 15 assists, and later contributed to the team's 2010–11 Serie A title. He returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo in 2011, then Atlético Mineiro a year later, winning the 2013 Copa Libertadores. He moved to Mexico's Querétaro, then back to Brazil for Fluminense in 2015. In 2026, he came out of retirement to play for Ravenna.
His individual accolades are numerous: three inclusions each in the UEFA Team of the Year and FIFA World XI, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for 2005–06, South American Footballer of the Year in 2013, and a spot on Pelé's FIFA 100 list in 2004. In 2009, World Soccer magazine voted him World Player of the Decade for the 2000s.
Internationally,
- born
- 21 March 1980
- field
- Footballer (attacking midfielder / left winger)
- nationality
- Brazilian
- known_for
- Dribbling, free-kick accuracy, tricks, feints, passing, goal-scoring and creating
Lore & Background
Ronaldinho made his career debut for Grêmio in 1998. Aged 20, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped the club reach the 2003 Coupe de France final. In 2003, he signed for Barcelona, winning his first FIFA World Player of the Year award as Barcelona won the 2004–05 La Liga title. The following season, he was integral to Barcelona achieving a double of La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, receiving the 2005 Ballon d'Or and his second World Player of the Year award. Despite Barcelona winning no major trophies in 2006–07, Ronaldinho enjoyed his most prolific league season, scoring a career-best 21 goals. After a decline in form, Barcelona sold him to AC Milan in 2008. In his second season, he registered a league-high 15 assists in Serie A, before being involved in the team's 2010–11 Serie A title win. He returned to Brazil to play for Flamengo in 2011 and Atlético Mineiro a year later, winning the 2013 Copa Libertadores, then moved to Mexico to play for Querétaro and back to Brazil for Fluminense in 2015. In 2026, he came out of retirement to play for Ravenna.
Reader's Guide
Ronaldinho's significance lies in his unique skill set and his role in elevating Barcelona in the early 2000s. He was a global icon renowned for his dribbling, free-kick accuracy, and use of tricks and feints. He accumulated numerous individual awards, including inclusion in the UEFA Team of the Year and FIFA World XI three times each, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for 2005–06, and South American Footballer of the Year in 2013. In 2004, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list, and in 2009, World Soccer magazine voted him World Player of the Decade 2000s. In his international career with Brazil, he earned 97 caps and scored 33 goals, debuting with the Seleção by winning the 1999 Copa América. He was integral to the 2002 World Cup winning team, positioned alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo, and captained Brazil to the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup title. He also captained the Brazil Olympic team to a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. His legacy is that of a player who achieved a unique set of major trophies and was one of the most valuable sportsmen in the world.
Did You Know?
- Ronaldinho is the only player ever to have won a World Cup, Copa América, Confederations Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores and Ballon d'Or.
- He scored a career-best 21 league goals in the 2006–07 season despite Barcelona winning no major trophies.
- He was named World Player of the Decade 2000s by World Soccer magazine in 2009.
- His father drowned in the family's swimming pool when Ronaldinho was eight years old.
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