When did Ronaldinho start playing soccer? That is the question that many of his fans want to know. In the world of football, many players have risen to the top, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other stars. However, only a few players can leave a deep impression in the hearts of fans like Ronaldinho Gaúcho. From the small streets of Brazil to the famous stadiums around the world, Dinho has had a career journey that is not without ups and downs. With glory on the field and a smile always on his face, he not only brightens up the field but also makes millions of football lovers smile. Let’s explore the magical story of this legend with Bestsoccertips.
About Ronaldinho and his personal life
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, commonly known as Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a former Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Known for his dribbling and free-kick taking skills, he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. After starting his career at Brazilian club Grêmio, he went on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Flamengo, Atletico Mineiro, Querétaro and Fluminense.
He has also represented the Brazilian national team and won a FIFA World Cup. Ronaldinho is a Ballon d’Or winner and has gone through many hardships before achieving great success. He has kept his family close throughout his life.
His full name is Ronaldo de Assis Moreira. He was born on 21 March 1980 in Porto Alegre, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He is the son of Dona Miguelina Elói Assis dos Santos, a saleswoman who trained as a nurse, and João de Assis Moreira, a shipyard worker and former footballer. His brother, Roberto de Assis, is his agent, while his sister, Deisi de Assis Moreira, is a press coordinator. Ronaldinho has a son named João, named after his late father. He was married to Janaina Mendes, the mother of his son, from 2004 to 2007. Although he has been linked to several women, he denied rumours that he was married to two women at the same time in 2018.
When did Ronaldinho start playing soccer?
Professional debut with Gremio (1998)
Like his older brother Roberto, Ronaldinho signed his first professional contract with Gremio and quickly made his first-team debut. At just 17, he made his debut in a Copa Libertadores match in 1998. The following year, he had a breakout season with 58 goals and 20 assists in 121 games, attracting the attention of major European clubs.
Moving to Europe (2001)
Arsenal were close to signing the Brazilian prodigy, but the deal fell through due to paperwork issues. At the time, Ronaldinho had not yet earned enough caps for his country to qualify for a work permit, which is required for a non-EU player. However, his first big break came when Paris Saint-Germain were able to sign him.
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Ronaldinho footballer career
Paris Saint-Germain Club Career (2001-2003)
Paris Saint-Germain were the first European club to give the rising Brazilian midfielder a chance. Ronaldinho signed a five-year contract with the French side, who paid €5 million to sign him. Although he had an impressive first season in France, scoring 13 goals and providing 7 assists in 40 appearances, PSG coach Luis Fernandez complained about Ronaldinho’s lack of commitment.
He was given the number 10 shirt for the following season, though. His results were similar to the previous season, with PSG reaching the final of the Coupe de France. However, his performances were not enough to win the trophy, and the team failed to qualify for European competition, leading to his decision to leave.
FC Barcelona (2003-2008)
FC Barcelona spent €32.25 million to beat Manchester United to Ronaldinho. Signing a five-year contract with the Catalan club turned out to be the best decision of his career. After winning his first La Liga and FIFA World Player of the Year in his second season, the 2005-06 season saw Ronaldinho reach the pinnacle of his career.
With 26 goals that year, a career-best, Ronaldinho established himself as the best player in the world. He helped Barcelona win La Liga and the Champions League, and even got Real Madrid fans to applaud him in an El Clasico. He also won the 2006 Ballon d’Or and UEFA Club Footballer of the Year after Barca won the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 14 years.
Despite maintaining his impressive form the following year, his time at Barcelona gradually declined. In his final season, he suffered injuries and witnessed the rise of Lionel Messi. Despite his reduced commitments, Ronaldinho still left many memorable memories.
AC Milan (2008-2011)
Ronaldinho’s next move was to AC Milan, but it was not as successful as his time at Barcelona. After a lacklustre first season, he found his form in 2009-10, becoming the top assist provider in Serie A. However, he left the club midway through the following season, as Milan won the title.
Return to Brazil: Flamengo (2011-2012)
At the age of 31, Ronaldinho decided to end his career in Europe and return to Brazil in the hope of having enough playing time to play in the 2014 World Cup. Instead of reuniting with Grêmio, he signed for Flamengo. Despite an impressive start, winning the Campeonato Carioca in his first year, he was terminated due to four months’ unpaid wages.
Atlético Mineiro (2013-2014)
Ronaldinho moved to Atlético Mineiro in 2013 on a six-month contract. After a successful Brasileirao season, winning the Player of the Year award, he led the club to their first Copa Libertadores title in 2013. Despite Mineiro being eliminated by Raja Casablanca in the semi-finals of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, Ronaldinho was given a contract extension, but he left the club in July 2014 after winning the Recopa Sudamericana.
Queretaro (2014-2015)
At the age of 34, Ronaldinho surprised many by moving to Querétaro in Liga MX. He felt the love from the Mexican fans, and this made him happy during his time there. In addition to winning admiration, he also led the team to the play-off final in 2015.
Fluminense (2015)
In July 2015, Ronaldinho returned to Brazil and joined Fluminense. However, just two months later, his contract was terminated by mutual agreement. Sporting director Mario Bittencourt said that Ronaldinho admitted that he could not play the style he wanted.
How many awards has Ronaldinho won?
Ronaldinho has won numerous awards throughout his career, including club, national team, and individual titles.
At club level, he has won the Copa América with Grêmio, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona, the national championship with AC Milan, Flamengo, and Atlético Mineiro, as well as the Copa Libertadores with Atlético Mineiro.
With the Brazilian national team, Ronaldinho has won numerous major titles, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 1999 Copa América, and the 2008 Olympic bronze medal.
On an individual level, he has received many prestigious awards, including the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, and many others throughout his career.
Final Thoughts
In short, when did Ronaldinho start playing soccer? from a very young age, at the age of 7, and his talent was quickly discovered through futsal matches and youth teams in Brazil. It was his years of playing futsal that helped him develop special skills such as excellent ball control, creativity and impressive dribbling. When he joined Gremio in 1998, he demonstrated his outstanding talent, opening up a brilliant career later at big clubs such as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
See also: How many times have Messi and Ronaldo played each other?
