Ronaldo de Assis Moreira

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, commonly known as Ronaldinho, is a professional football player from Brazil who plays as a midfielder in an attacking role, sometimes even playing as the team’s striker. Ronaldinho began his playing career at Gremio, in 1987, when he was just seven years old. Already known for his skills on the Futsal pitch, Ronaldinho broke into the Gremio first team when he was 18.

Slowly making his way into the first team, the world began seeing glimpses of what was to come. Ronaldinho would show off his ability and confidence on the pitch, using audacious moves and techniques to bring the crowd to their feet. He played just over 50 games for Gremio, scoring 21 goals and setting up a lot more. It was, however, his brilliant skill that caught the eye of scouts from around the world and Ronaldinho was being spoken off as being the next biggest thing in football.

Ronaldinho was already a part of the Brazilian national team at the Under-17, -20, and -23 levels and had even made appearances for the senior national team in his first few years as a Gremio player. In fact, he had 13 appearances for various age-group teams in his debut season as a professional football player at Gremio. He had helped Gremio win the 1999 Copa do Sul as well as the Rio Grande do Sul State title.

In 2001, Ronaldinho made the inevitable move to Europe and his destination was Paris Saint-Germain, one of the biggest teams in France. Over 2001, 2002 and 2003, Ronaldinho announced his arrival to the world, showing unbelievable moves that Brazilians were known for, but the world hadn’t seen for a long time. He played 55 games for the Parisian side, helping them win the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2001, scoring 17 leagues goals along the way.

Ronaldinho was suddenly on everyone’s radar and then came the big-money move to FC Barcelona. Ronaldinho wasn’t the club’s first choice signing but in terms of the kind of effect he had on the team and the fans, he was the best thing to happen to the Catalan side for a long time.

Ronaldinho’s first season was riddled with injuries but in the second half of the season, he showed what he was capable of. In 2004-05, he led a revolution at Barcelona, playing breathtaking football and helping Barcelona win the 2004-05 Spanish Primera Division title, a feat he repeated the following season. Barcelona also won the 2005 and 2006 Supercopa de Espana titles but the crowning moment of his club career came when he led Barcelona to the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League triumph.