Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, born March 21st, 1980 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, has risen to become one of soccer's greatest players. The 5'11", 177-lb "Ronaldinho" began wowing spectators back in 1999 with his amazing mastery at the forward position. He began his amateur soccer career by following the path of his father Joao. Here he honed his talents by playing beach and indoor ("futbal") soccer.
Born to Miguelina, and cared for by his sisters and brother after his father's death when he was only eight, Ronaldinho achieved his first cap with the Brazilian senior team in 1999 with club Gremio under head coach Celso Roth. In 2001, Arsenal FC wanted Ronaldinho but this move would not go through as Ronaldinho was unable to obtain a work permit. Eventually, Ronaldinho would sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC where some reported he enjoyed his nightlife more than football. Unhappy in Paris, Ronaldiho finally went back to Barcelona in 2004.
It was at the Copa America in Paraguay where Ronaldinho and teammates Ronald and Rivaldo mesmerized onlookers; and here, he achieved truly huge success by scoring Brazil's fifth goal in a 7-0 crushing of rival Venezuela. But there was also the "wonder goal" of 2002's FIFA World Cup in Japan. This was Ronaldinho's scoring of the game-winning goal via an amazing 30-yard free kick which took England's goalie David Seaman utterly by surprise. Winning the quarterfinal, his team went on to win the World Cup. Ronaldinho achieved yet more soccer accolades here by being named part of the all-tournament team.
Ronaldinho has won a great array of soccer's greatest prizes. Among these are the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005, as well as the UEFA's Champion League Award in 2006 in Barcelona (he scored seven goals in only 12 matches in that year). "Sports Illustrated" magazine named Ronaldinho the fifth wealthiest athlete of 2008 for his earnings of $37.5 million that year (salary, bonuses, product endorsements, and live appearances). This put the 28-year-old soccer star in group that included Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Beckham, and Kimi Raikkonen.
During his 200th match in the summer of 2008, Ronaldinho dismayed his fans and spectators of soccer by going down with a right leg injury--an injury that got him sitting the bench for the rest of the season. Then to complicate matters, Ronaldinho and his club got into an argument over his decision to play in the Bejing Olympic games. Nevertheless, Ronaldinho eventually got a deal with the Italian Club AC Milan and went on to play in the Olympics alongside his countrymen.
Ronaldinho did turn down a $25.5 million offer from Manchester City to join AC Milan in a three-year contract-in Barcelona, he was receiving $21 million. Forced to lose his favorite jersey number 10, as it was being worm by Clarence Seedorf, he chose 80 for his year of birth. Proving just as valuable in Milan, he scored his first goal in a 1-0 victory over Internazionale in September of 2008.
Against Sporting Braga in the November 2008 UEFA Cup, Ronaldinho got Milan inot a 2-2 draw after they had fallen behind 2-0 when he scored a match-winner in the 93rd minute. His brother Roberto has been quite the force as Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has acted as his brother's agent and already brought him more endorsements for him that are booked up through 2014. Ronaldinho seems in better spirits these days in Milan, Italy.
Ronaldinho became a father in 2005 when his son Joao was born. The boy is named after his grandfather and his mother is Brazilian dancer Janaina Mendes. But, when it comes to soccer, where will he ultimately end up? Only Ronaldinho and Roberto know. But with his immense global popularity, it seems Ronaldinho would be a great fit on any team. Maybe some are already thinking, "what about the United States? - 16887
Born to Miguelina, and cared for by his sisters and brother after his father's death when he was only eight, Ronaldinho achieved his first cap with the Brazilian senior team in 1999 with club Gremio under head coach Celso Roth. In 2001, Arsenal FC wanted Ronaldinho but this move would not go through as Ronaldinho was unable to obtain a work permit. Eventually, Ronaldinho would sign a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain FC where some reported he enjoyed his nightlife more than football. Unhappy in Paris, Ronaldiho finally went back to Barcelona in 2004.
It was at the Copa America in Paraguay where Ronaldinho and teammates Ronald and Rivaldo mesmerized onlookers; and here, he achieved truly huge success by scoring Brazil's fifth goal in a 7-0 crushing of rival Venezuela. But there was also the "wonder goal" of 2002's FIFA World Cup in Japan. This was Ronaldinho's scoring of the game-winning goal via an amazing 30-yard free kick which took England's goalie David Seaman utterly by surprise. Winning the quarterfinal, his team went on to win the World Cup. Ronaldinho achieved yet more soccer accolades here by being named part of the all-tournament team.
Ronaldinho has won a great array of soccer's greatest prizes. Among these are the FIFA World Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005, as well as the UEFA's Champion League Award in 2006 in Barcelona (he scored seven goals in only 12 matches in that year). "Sports Illustrated" magazine named Ronaldinho the fifth wealthiest athlete of 2008 for his earnings of $37.5 million that year (salary, bonuses, product endorsements, and live appearances). This put the 28-year-old soccer star in group that included Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, David Beckham, and Kimi Raikkonen.
During his 200th match in the summer of 2008, Ronaldinho dismayed his fans and spectators of soccer by going down with a right leg injury--an injury that got him sitting the bench for the rest of the season. Then to complicate matters, Ronaldinho and his club got into an argument over his decision to play in the Bejing Olympic games. Nevertheless, Ronaldinho eventually got a deal with the Italian Club AC Milan and went on to play in the Olympics alongside his countrymen.
Ronaldinho did turn down a $25.5 million offer from Manchester City to join AC Milan in a three-year contract-in Barcelona, he was receiving $21 million. Forced to lose his favorite jersey number 10, as it was being worm by Clarence Seedorf, he chose 80 for his year of birth. Proving just as valuable in Milan, he scored his first goal in a 1-0 victory over Internazionale in September of 2008.
Against Sporting Braga in the November 2008 UEFA Cup, Ronaldinho got Milan inot a 2-2 draw after they had fallen behind 2-0 when he scored a match-winner in the 93rd minute. His brother Roberto has been quite the force as Ronaldinho's brother Roberto has acted as his brother's agent and already brought him more endorsements for him that are booked up through 2014. Ronaldinho seems in better spirits these days in Milan, Italy.
Ronaldinho became a father in 2005 when his son Joao was born. The boy is named after his grandfather and his mother is Brazilian dancer Janaina Mendes. But, when it comes to soccer, where will he ultimately end up? Only Ronaldinho and Roberto know. But with his immense global popularity, it seems Ronaldinho would be a great fit on any team. Maybe some are already thinking, "what about the United States? - 16887
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