Ronaldinho’s legacy lives on

Ten years after his last professional football game, Ronaldinho’s legacy is still being felt around the sporting world. The skilful Brazilian with the cheeky smile influenced his country and certain clubs to such a degree that their success directly resulted from his efforts.

It was a long and memorable journey worth looking back on.

Early beginnings

Ronaldinho was born in Porto Alegre in March 1980 and showed early promise as a player. His football skills led him to sign up for Gremio’s youth programme at just seven. He remained on the club’s books into adulthood and made his senior debut in the 1998 Copa Libertadores.

By this stage, his immense talent had already been recognised internationally. Ronaldinho played for Brazil through the junior levels and was part of the first national squad to win the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in 1997.

He made his senior international debut in June 1999 against Latvia. By this stage, major European clubs were already monitoring his progress. Two years later, in 2001, he signed for the French giants Paris Saint-Germain, and his reputation grew significantly from there.

International superstar

The makings of Ronaldinho’s legacy can be traced back to that move to PSG in the early 2000s. During his long playing career, he became an icon for supporters across the globe. Even those who didn’t follow any of the Brazilian’s club sides could be seen wearing shirts with his name on the back.

Any form of merchandise attached to Ronaldinho was eagerly snapped up, while his profile transferred seamlessly to popular culture. At online casinos, one of the new games in New Zealand is a slot machine called ‘Ronaldinho Scores – Shoot & Win.’ While it’s an unusual addition, very few sports stars are honoured by casinos in this way.

By the time of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, Ronaldinho was already established in the PSG team. Still, one moment of brilliance catapulted the player into the wider public consciousness.

Brilliant Brazilians

The Brazilian team of the 1950s through the 1980s was known for its exciting football. Driven by the goals of the great Pele, Brazil won three World Cups between 1958 and 1970. The team had flair players who could score spectacular goals from a distance.

By the 1990s, the skill had largely gone: They may have won the World Cup in the USA in 1994, but this Brazil was a dour, workmanlike side. Approaching the 2002 tournament, there was hope of a resurgence, and thanks to Ronaldinho, that exciting football was back.

Ably assisted by Ronaldo and Rivaldo, Ronaldinho helped Brazil top their group with three wins from three. In the first knockout game, a 2-0 win over Belgium saw the Brazilians face England in the quarter-finals.

This was the setting for the moment of magic that announced Ronaldinho on the world stage. With the game in the balance, he took a free kick from distance, spotting keeper David Seaman off his line. A floated effort embarrassed Seaman and sparked joyful celebrations on the Brazilian side.

Ronaldinho Free Kick v England – 2002 World Cup

It was one of the best goals of any World Cup, and it is fondly remembered, even by some English supporters. Brazil won that 2002 tournament, but the real legacy at the international level is that Ronaldinho had brought the flair back to their national side. Over twenty years later, Brazil continues to play in their renowned style.

Club colours

Ronaldinho’s international legacy remains intact, but what about the mark he made at club level? After just two years in Paris, the player was signed by Barcelona, and while the Spanish team are giants of the game, they were in a slump at the time.

Barca had recently sold Luis Figo to Real Madrid and they watched while their bitter rivals began to dominate domestic and European competition. The club needed inspiration and Ronaldinho delivered.

In his five years in Spain, Barcelona won five major trophies, including two La Liga titles. Most importantly, Barca won the biggest prize in European domestic football as they lifted the Champions League trophy in 2006. Above all, fans were delighted that the team could compete with Real Madrid once again.

Ronaldinho moved to AC Milan in 2008 and helped the team win the Serie A title at the end of the 2010/11 season. Eventually, he finished his career in his native Brazil, where he won more trophies.

His legacy extends beyond the medals that he won. At club and international levels, Ronaldinho made football joyful again. Brazil returned as one of the most competitive sides in the world game, but more importantly, they were playing with the flair shown in the past.

As one of the most skilful players we’ve ever witnessed, Ronaldinho helped to lift Barcelona out of the doldrums. Although he made his most telling contributions at Barca, fans of all his former clubs will be grateful for his legacy.

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