Ronaldinho
The wizard who helped Brazil lift the 2002 World Cup as part of a legendary attacking trio.
Ronaldinho Gaúcho, known simply as Ronaldinho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or left winger. In his international career with Brazil, he earned 97 caps and scored 33 goals, representing them in two FIFA World Cups. After debuting with the Seleção by winning the 1999 Copa América, he was an integral player in the 2002 World Cup winning team, positioned alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo in an attacking trio, and was named in the World Cup All-Star Team.
- full_name
- Ronaldo de Assis Moreira
- nationality
- Brazilian
- position
- Attacking Midfielder / Winger
- world_cup_appearances
- 2002, 2006
- major_honours
- FIFA World Cup Winner (2002), FIFA World Player of the Year (2004, 2005)
- status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ronaldinho's World Cup legacy is defined by his role in the 2002 winning team, where he formed an attacking trio with Ronaldo and Rivaldo. He was named in the World Cup All-Star Team for that tournament. He also captained his team to the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup title and was named man of the match in the final. Later, he captained the Brazil Olympic team to a bronze medal in men's football at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
In Their Own Story
In the 2002 World Cup, Ronaldinho was an integral part of Brazil's fifth title win. Positioned alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo, his creativity and dribbling were vital to the team's success. He scored two goals on penalty kicks at the 1997 U-17 World Championship in Egypt, foreshadowing his future impact on the international stage. His performances in 2002 earned him a place in the World Cup All-Star Team.
Reader's Guide
Ronaldinho represented Brazil in two FIFA World Cups: 2002 and 2006 (the source does not mention 2010). His most significant contribution came in the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan, where he was an integral player in the winning team, positioned alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo in an attacking trio. He was named in the World Cup All-Star Team for that tournament. In 2006, he entered as one of the world's best players after winning back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year awards, but the source does not provide details on his specific performances in that tournament. He also captained the Brazil Olympic team to a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Did You Know?
- Ronaldinho is the only player ever to have won all of the following: a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d'Or.
- He scored all 23 goals in a 23–0 victory against a local team when he was 13 years old.
- Ronaldinho was identified as a rising star at the 1997 U-17 World Championship in Egypt, where he scored two goals on penalty kicks.
- He became the second Barcelona player, after Diego Maradona in 1983, to receive a standing ovation from Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- His father, João de Assis Moreira, was a shipyard worker and a footballer for the local club Esporte Clube Cruzeiro.
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