Ronaldinho was one of the best players of his era but the former Barcelona star still goes slightly under appreciated in a world now dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The two current stars, who have won 11 Ballon d’Ors between them, have torn up the record books in the past decade with their incredible goal scoring and assist making records, all of which has dampened the brilliance of some former greats.
Ronaldinho may not have scored as often as his former Barcelona teammate, or his Portuguese rival, but the skill and freedom he played with was something few other players have ever been able to match.
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The 40-year-old was twice named the FIFA World Footballer of the Year, in 2004 and 2005, and also won the Ballon d’Or, in 2005.
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He was part of Brazil’s World Cup winning side in 2002, even though he did get himself sent off in the quarter final against England, and won the Champions League in 2006 with Barca.
Unfortunately his career took a dip once he left the Nou Camp for AC Milan in 2008, with Pep Guardiola worried his partying might rub off on Messi, after the pair developed a good relationship on the pitch.
Paul Scholes recently revealed just how close the former PSG player came to joining Manchester United, when he was leaving France, saying, “He was away on pre-season and we were as a close as announcing him and giving him a number but I think he ended up changing his mind at the last minute and signing for Barcelona.
“It’s strange really because we played Barcelona on that pre-season tour.
“We were all excited – Ronaldinho, what a player! I think he was coming from PSG at the time and we were all going to get to play with him and he’s going to bring something special.
“…then three days later, we’re playing against him and all trying to kick him because he didn’t sign for us.”
In recent times Ronaldinho has unfortunately only been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The Brazilian was arrested earlier this year for entering Paraguay with allegedly false papers.
After a few weeks in prison he was allowed to be placed under house arrest.
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