Ronaldinho
(Soccer Superstar)
 |
| Biography of Ronaldinho |
Football
superstar Ronaldinho who was a member of Brazil's World Cup-winning team
in 2002, and won the FIFA World Player of the Year award
twice. Brazilian football star
Ronaldinho was born into a family of athletes who have reached the pinnacle of
success in sports. After a successful youth career, Ronaldinho was a key member
of Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning team. He played for clubs in “Brazil”,
“France”, “Spain” and “Italy” and was named “FIFA World Player
of the Year” twice.
Personal life
Ronaldinho
was born as Ronaldo de Assis Moreira on March 21st, 1980 in “Porto
Alegre”, Brazil. His father, “João Moreira”, was a professional football
player and worked as a ship's doctor, while his mother, “Miguelina de Assis”,
was a cosmetics marketer who later became a nurse.
João,
named after Ronaldinho's father, was born in 2005 to Brazilian dancer
"Yanaina Mendes" and Ronaldinho. The Brazilian football player
remains close to his family with his brother “Roberto” as his manager
and his sister “Daisy” as his press secretary. Ronaldinho is a true
football player, one of the best players of his generation. He said his
football career has been emotional, ups and downs and full of life's moments. Ronaldinho
said:
"For me, soccer provides so many
emotions, a different feeling every day,"
"I've had the good fortune to take part
in major competitions like the Olympics, and winning the World Cup was also
unforgettable. I'll never forget the Olympic loss or the World Cup victory,
both of which we experienced."
He said:
"
My
father, my brother, and my uncles were all athletes. I learned a lot from them
because I had a similar background. With time passing, I tried to give it more
of my attention."
Ronaldinho
especially loved his father, who died of a heart attack when he was eight years
old. He said:
" Some of the best advise I've ever received came from him. "Do the
right thing and be an honest, straight-up guy" is advice given off the
pitch. And when you're out there playing, just keep it simple. He always said
that keeping things simple is one of the most difficult things you can do."
Ronaldinho
started football at the age of 7 as a young football player. He was nicknamed
"Ronaldinho" for the first time. A minor form of his birth
name Ronaldo. Ronaldinho said:
"They always called me that when I was
little because I was really small, and I played with players who were older
than me. I was referred to as Ronaldinho because I was younger when I joined
the senior national team and there was already another Ronaldo."
Ronaldinho grew up in a
poor, impoverished area and his youth team had things to do on the pitch.
"The only grass on the field is the corners," said Ronaldinho,
adding that football is played on a hard court with only five players on a
side. Ronaldinho's first futsal experience made him a unique player
characterized by excellent contact and ball control. Ronaldinho said:
"It's played in a very small space, and
the ball control is different in futsal. And to this day, my ball control is
pretty similar to a futsal player's control."
Talented Young Footballer
Ronaldinho
has quickly become one of Brazil's most talented young footballers at the age
of 13, scoring 23 goals in one match which is unbelievable. As Ronaldinho
immersed himself in Brazil's long and rich football history as he took his team
to various youth tournaments, he studied the greats of the past such as “Pele”,
“Rivelino” and “Ronaldo” and was confident that he would follow in their
footsteps.
Then,
in 1997, when he was still young, Ronaldinho was called up to Brazil's under-17
team. The team won the “FIFA U-17 World Championship” in “Egypt”
and Ronaldinho was named “Man of the match” of the tournament. Shortly
after, Ronaldinho signed his first professional contract, playing for “Gremio”,
one of the most famous teams in the Brazilian league.
Biography
|
Name |
Ronaldinho |
|
Birth Date |
21st March 1980 |
|
Birth City |
Porto Alegre,
Brazil |
|
Nationality |
Brazilian |
|
Height |
6’0” (183 cm) |
|
Astrological Sign |
Aries |
|
Parents |
Father: João De Assis Moreira Mother: Dona Miguelina Elói Assis Dos Santos |
|
Siblings |
Deisi De Assis Moreira, Roberto De Assis Moreira |
|
Spouse |
Yanaina Mendes |
|
Children |
João
De Assis Moreira |
|
Profession |
Football player |
|
Best Known for |
Soccer superstar Ronaldinho was a member of Brazil's 2002
World Cup championship team and twice won the FIFA World Player of the Year
award. |
Career
Ronaldinho
signed his first contract with “Gremio” and during the “Copa
Libertadores Debut” in 1998. It was a huge success for the team and helped them
win the South Minas Cup. He signed a five-year contract with “French club
Paris Saint-Germain” in 2001 and played a key role in the 2001–02 “French
League Cup”, helping the team reach the final, but was kicked out of
Bordeaux. He was part of the “Brazilian” football team that won the 2002
World Cup. He played with two football players “Ronaldo” and “Rivaldo”
in the team.
He
joined the “Spanish League FC Barcelona” in 2003 and won his first
league title in the 2004-05 season. He was at the peak of his form at the time
and was named FIFA Player of the Year two years in
a row. He played a key role in 2005-06
in winning “Barcelona's first Champions League” title in 14 years. He
had a great season all season and finished with a career-high 26 goals, seven
of which were in the Champions League. He scored the 50th goal of his career
against Villarreal in November 2006.
Overall,
he had a good career with Barcelona, playing his 20th career for the team in
a league match against Osasuna on February 3rd, 2008.
However, he was injured for most of the 2007-08 season due to injury. He signed a three-year contract with “Milan”
in July 2008 and ended his first season with the team by scoring 10 goals in 32
matches in all competitions.
His
career in “Milan” was not successful and he joined “Flamengo” in
2011. In June 2012, he moved to "Atlético Mineiro" after
agreeing to a six-month contract. He helped the team win the “Mineiro League
Championship” in 2013 and led the club to win the “Copa Libertadores”
for the first time. After the team's success, he extended his contract in
January 2014 and played for the club until July 2014. He signed a two-year
contract with “Mexican club Querétaro” in September 2014.
Awards and Achievements
- He won two “La Liga Foreign Player of the Year” -“Don Balón Award” (2003-04 and 2005–06).
- In 2004 and 2005, he was named "FIFA World Player of the Year" twice in a row.
- In September 2005, he received the "Inaugural FIFPro World Player of the Year" award. He was also named "European Footballer of the Year" in that same year.
- He featured in the “FIFA 100”, a list of the world's greatest living players compiled by “Pelé”.
Trivialities
Ronaldinho
is one of the most popular football players in the world and has endorsed for
several companies such as “Nike”, “Pepsi”, “Coca-Cola”, “EA Sports” and “Gatorade”.
He received Spanish citizenship in 2007.
Quotes
"No matter who you are it's the simple
things in life that lead you to believe that you can achieve anything." ~
Ronaldinho
"I learned all about life with a ball at
my feet" ~ Ronaldinho
"God gives gifts to everyone, some can
write, some can dance. He gave me the talent to play football, and I'm
utilizing it to my favor." ~ Ronaldinho
"I was at Barcelona for many years where
I won a lot of things and achieved a lot of dreams. For these reasons it holds
a special place in my life." ~ Ronaldinho
"I would like my Dad to be alive so he could
see what I am." ~ Ronaldinho
"I am what I am thanks to my mother, my
father, my brother, my sister... because they have given me everything. The
education I have is thanks to them." ~ Ronaldinho
"I have the chance to do for a living
what I like the most in life, and that's playing football. I can make people
happy and enjoy myself at the same time." ~ Ronaldinho
"It is not just about the money, it is
about what you achieve on the pitch." ~ Ronaldinho
"Our confidence comes from our
preparation." ~ Ronaldinho
