Ronaldinho
Brazilian footballer who won all major international and club trophies.
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, better known as Ronaldinho Gaúcho or just Ronaldinho, is a Brazilian footballer currently playing as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Ravenna in Italy’s Serie C. He is considered one of the sport’s all-time greats, having won the Ballon d’Or, two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and the FIFPro Player of the Season twice. He stands alone as the only player to have won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores, and a Ballon d’Or. Famous for his dribbling, free-kick accuracy, tricks, feints, and passing, he was also a prolific scorer and creator. Nicknamed “O Bruxo” (“The Wizard”), he was among the most valuable sports figures globally during his career.
Ronaldinho began his professional career at Grêmio in 1998. At 20, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain in France, becoming a key player and helping the club reach the 2003 Coupe de France final. He joined Barcelona in 2003, where he hit his peak, winning 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 Barcelona’s double of La Liga and the Champions League, earning the 2005 Ballon d’Or and a second World Player of the Year award. He is widely credited with reviving Barcelona in the early 2000s.
Although Barcelona won no major trophies in 2006–07, Ronaldinho had his most prolific league season, scoring a career-best 21 goals. After a dip in form and fitness the next season, Barcelona sold him to AC Milan in 2008. In his second season there, he returned to top form, leading Serie A with 15 assists, and later helped Milan win the 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 to play for Querétaro, then back to Brazil for Fluminense in 2015. In 2026, he came out of retirement to play for Ravenna.
Ronaldinho earned many individual honors: he was named to the UEFA Team of the Year and the FIFA World XI three times each, won UEFA Club Footballer of the Year for 2005–06, and South American Footballer of the Year in 2013. In 2004, Pelé included him in the FIFA 100 list of the world’s greatest living players. In 2009, World Soccer magazine voted him World Player of the Decade for the 2000s.
Internationally, Ronaldinho earned 97 cap
- born
- 21 March 1980
- field
- Attacking midfielder or left winger
- nationality
- Brazilian
- known_for
- Dribbling abilities, free-kick accuracy, use of tricks, feints, and passing
Lore & Background
Ronaldinho was born on 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. His father, a shipyard worker and footballer, drowned when Ronaldinho was eight years old. His brother Roberto, whose career was cut short by injury, became his manager. Ronaldinho's football skills blossomed at age eight, and he was given the nickname Ronaldinho because he was often the youngest and smallest player in youth matches. He developed an interest in futsal and beach football, and many of his signature moves originate from futsal. At age 13, he scored all 23 goals in a 23–0 victory against a local team. He was identified as a rising star at the 1997 U-17 World Championship in Egypt.
Ronaldinho made his career debut for Grêmio in 1998. In 2001, 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, and he received the 2005 Ballon d'Or and his second World Player of the Year award. After a decline in form, Barcelona sold him to AC Milan in 2008. He later played for Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro (winning the 2013 Copa Libertadores), Querétaro, Fluminense, and in 2026 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 is the only player ever to have won a World Cup, Copa América, Confederations Cup, Champions League, Copa Libertadores, and Ballon d'Or. His dribbling, free-kick accuracy, and use of tricks and feints made him a global icon. He was named in the FIFA 100 list by Pelé in 2004 and voted World Player of the Decade 2000s by World Soccer magazine in 2009. In his international career with Brazil, he earned 97 caps and scored 33 goals, winning the 1999 Copa América, the 2002 World Cup, and the 2005 Confederations Cup. He also captained the Brazil Olympic team to a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Despite a decline in form at Barcelona, he rediscovered his best form at AC Milan, registering a league-high 15 assists in Serie A. His legacy is that of a player who combined entertainment with effectiveness, though his career included periods of controversy regarding his focus.
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 all 23 goals in a 23–0 victory against a local team at age 13.
- His father drowned in the swimming pool at their home when Ronaldinho was eight years old.
- He was named World Player of the Decade 2000s by World Soccer magazine in 2009.
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