Football legends come and go, but there are those who are meant to be remembered forever. Not only because of the number of records they broke, but also for the way they played the game and the feelings they aroused on everyone watching them. And if there’s one player who is admired by any football enthusiast, it should undoubtedly be Ronaldinho Gaucho. His greatness started way back before playing for the European elite teams and effecting the research of the best online bookmakers, when it came to deciding their prices.
The early life of the football magician
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, is a 44 years old former Brazilian professional footballer who was born at Porto Alegre. His late father, João, was a shipyard worker and a footballer for the local club, while his brother Roberto, was also a professional footballer. Raised in a family with football genes, his passion for football was evident at an early age. By barely 8 years of age, he could juggle the ball 1,000 times without hitting the ground.
Not only did he inherit the love for the sport from his father, but he also gave him a piece of advice which would shape the rest of his career, “Whenever you play football, play it beautifully”. And that’s exactly what Gaucho did to honor his father’s memory. His “Joga bonito” mentality could be seen in every match he played, making him one of the greatest footballers of all time.
His accomplishments include, two The Best FIFA Men’s Player, one Winner Ballon d’Or, one UEFA Best Player in Europe, two Top goal scorer, one World Cup winner, one Copa América winner, one Champions League winner, two Spanish champion, one Italian champion, two Spanish Super Cup winner, one Under-17 World Cup champion, one Copa Libertadores winner, one Confederations Cup winner, one Recopa Sudamericana winner, and one Third place at the Olympic Games.
The genesis of a legendary footballer
However, his greatness didn’t start in the outdoor football. Ronaldinho made the headlines for the first time in 1993 when he was playing futsal for Grêmio youth squad and scored 23 goals against a local team. He continued to excel in his team until, in 1997, he finally got a call from the Brazilian national team U17. In the same year, he won the South American U17 Championship, assisting in both goals for Brazil against Argentina. Later that year, he lifted the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Back in the Brazilian domestic league, Grêmio manager Celso Roth, decided to put him in the first team and made his debut in the 1998 Copa Libertadores. Despite his outstanding performance, he made his breakout the following season, scoring 58 goals and registering 20 assists in 121 games. And that was enough to catch the attention of the major European teams.
Ronaldinho’s first steps in European football
Despite the European teams’ offers, Grêmio didn’t allow Ronaldinho to leave until 2001 when he moved to French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Though his talent was undeniable, he was not a regular starter. However, he later became a key player, given the No. 10 jersey.
He went on to register 25 goals, 17 assists, and 42 goal contributions in 77 games for the French giants. Yet, the misunderstanding between him and manager Luis Fernández saw him leaving the club after 2 seasons. His time at PSG served as a stepping stone for a move to a club that would change his story forever.
Barcelona: O Bruxo (The Wizard) reaches his full potential
In 2003, Gaucho moved to Barcelona in a point when the club was undergoing a rebuild under the new leadership of President Joan Laporta. His arrival reinvigorated the club’s identity, by bringing a winning mentality, joy and freedom to the team. It was not until his second season at Camp Nou that “O Bruxo” established himself as the best player of the world. With his ball control, no-look pass, and his trademark move “Elastico”, coupled with his characteristic smile, he led Barcelona to 2 consecutive La Liga titles and to their first UEFA Champions League title in 14 years.
His performance was such that even Real Madrid fans showed their appreciation with a standing ovation during the 2005 El Clásico at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after pulling off several magical moves. However, after his impressive stint at Barcelona, Dinho’s performance declined in the 2007-8 season due to injuries. And that led Laporta to letting him go in 2008. It was a heart breaking moment for the Brazilian star as he was not ready for the move.
Ronaldinho: The last dance and beyond
After leaving the Spanish giants, Ronaldinho played for AC Milan until 2010-11 season; and he then returned to Brazil and joined Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro a year later. But his performance at a club level has never reached the same level as the one at Barcelona.
However, his impact on football is beyond trophies. “The Magician” inspired a whole new generation of players, while the fans and punters, his artistic expression and his passion for the sport will resonate for generations and motivate them to register for an account at a betting platform.
