A lot of soccer players reach the big time. Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, and more players come to mind. But, few of them are able to touch people’s hearts in the same manner as Ronaldinho Gacho did. Ronaldinho football career and life were filled with ups and downs. He played from the streets of Brazil to the most famous stadiums on the planet.
Regardless matter the circumstance, the Brazilian playmaker always found a cause to grin. And whether it was experiencing the pinnacle of success with the national team or having a mediocre conclusion to a magnificent career. Millions of his admirers also smiled at him. Check out his amazing tale right here.
Ronaldinho football career and life were filled with ups and downs
Early years
Ronaldinho signed his first deal with Gremio, much like his older brother Roberto did. And it didn’t take him long to make his senior debut. At barely 17, he was sent to the pitch in a 1998 Copa Libertadores game.
The next year, he enjoyed a breakthrough year with 58 goals and 20 assists in 121 appearances. And this attracted the attention of major European clubs.
Ronaldinho football career – Depart for Europe (2001)
Arsenal was so close to signing the Brazilian wonderkid, but the transaction failed because of a legal issue. Ronaldinho didn’t have enough international experience by that point to qualify for the work visa required of non-EU players. But as soon as Paris Saint-Germain was able to sign him, he would get his big chance.
Ascend to the International Scene
Ronaldinho failed to maintain consistency on the international stage. He made his first youth international appearance at the age of 15 in 1995. And his first success came with the U-17 squad in the 1997 World Championship in Egypt. On June 26, 1999, he was called up to the senior squad for the first time. Then, he went on to win the Copa America that same year.
His first success came with the U-17 squad in the 1997 World Championship in Egypt
In Ronaldinho football career, he advanced further with the national team after being named the tournament’s best scorer in the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup. He led the U23s to the 2000 Olympic Games the following year, scoring nine goals in seven games during the Pre-Olympic campaign. Brazil failed to go past the quarter-finals in Sydney, but glorious days were on the horizon.
Success in the 2002 World Cup
At the Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup, Ronaldinho formed a potent offensive three alongside superstar Rivaldo and world-class striker Ronaldo. And he played a significant role in Brazil’s victory.
Dinho helped his team come back from being down to England in the quarterfinals by contributing to two goals. That day, he also received a red card, but ultimately, it made little difference.
He played a significant role in Brazil’s victory
International Recession
Ronaldinho would never be his genuine self with the national team again, despite shining in another Confederations Cup in 2005. Despite the excitement around him and Brazil’s Joga Bonito style, which Nike marketed before of the 2006 World Cup, Dinho’s performance in Germany was disappointing. Brazil fell to France in the quarterfinals, and Ronaldinho’s life has never been the same since.
Ronaldinho’s performance was not good in the following two FIFA World Cups after captaining the Olympic squad that earned a bronze medal in Beijing in 2008. Nonetheless, the international Ronaldinho football career is fantastic as he scored 33 goals in 97 appearances.
Following a few years of futsal in India, Ronaldinho announced his retirement on January 16, 2018, through his brother and agent Roberto. He didn’t feel like he had anything left in the tank at nearly 38.
