:Ronaldinho

File:Porto Alegre skyline.jpg in 1980, Ronaldinho moved into an affluent suburb at the age of eight.]]

Ronaldo de Assis Moreira was born on 21 March 1980 in the city of Porto Alegre, the state capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.com/esp/jugadores/futbol/biografia_10.shtml |title=Ronaldinho |website=FC Barcelona |language=es |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-date=24 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060424134821/http://www.fcbarcelona.com/esp/jugadores/futbol/biografia_10.shtml |url-status=dead}} His mother, Miguelina Elói Assis dos Santos,{{cite book |title=Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro |last=Soutar |first=Jethro |year=2006 |publisher=Robson Books |isbn=978-1-86105-978-9}} was a salesperson who studied to become a nurse.{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho |url=https://www.biography.com/athlete/ronaldinho|access-date=26 July 2020 |website=Biography |language=en-US |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806201521/https://www.biography.com/athlete/ronaldinho |url-status=live}} His father, João de Assis Moreira, was a shipyard worker and a footballer for the local club Esporte Clube Cruzeiro (not to be confused with the larger Cruzeiro Esporte Clube).{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2008/luglio/18/Dieci_cose_Ronnie_Little_Italy_ga_10_080718017.shtml |title=Dieci cose su Ronnie Da Little Italy in poi |date=18 July 2008 |work=Gazzetta dello Sport |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=13 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113110651/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2008/luglio/18/Dieci_cose_Ronnie_Little_Italy_ga_10_080718017.shtml |url-status=live}} After Ronaldo's elder brother Roberto signed with Grêmio, the family moved to a home in the more affluent Guarujá section of Porto Alegre, which was a gift from Grêmio to convince Roberto to stay at the club. Still, Roberto's career was ultimately cut short by injury. When Ronaldo was eight years old, his father hit his head and drowned in the swimming pool at their new home. Roberto has acted as Ronaldo's manager, while his sister Deisi has worked as his press coordinator.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/05/football.features |title=Homage from Catalonia |work=The Guardian |first=Justin |last=Webster |date=5 June 2005 |access-date=20 May 2006 |location=London |archive-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207113005/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/05/football.features |url-status=live}}

Ronaldo's football skills began to blossom at the age of eight, and he was first given the nickname Ronaldinho—inho, meaning 'small'—because he was often the youngest and the smallest player in youth club matches.{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/grant_wahl/06/01/ronaldinho.qa/index.html |title=One-on-one with Ronaldinho |magazine=Sports Illustrated |first=Grant |last=Wahl |date=1 June 2006 |access-date=14 June 2006 |archive-date=16 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616023710/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/grant_wahl/06/01/ronaldinho.qa/index.html |url-status=dead}} He developed an interest in futsal and beach football, which later expanded to organized football. Many of his signature moves originate from futsal, especially his ball control.Futsalfeed.com (14 March 2020). "[https://futsalfeed.com/original-content/top-10-footballers-who-played-futsal Top 10 Footballers Who Played Futsal!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608234921/https://futsalfeed.com/original-content/top-10-footballers-who-played-futsal |date=8 June 2020 }}", "futsalfeed.com". Retrieved 14 March 2020. His first brush with the media came at the age of 13, when he scored all 23 goals in a 23–0 victory against a local team.{{cite web |title=The Master |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Interviews/0,,11442~758106,00.html |work=FourFourTwo |first=Andy |last=Mitten |date=January 2006 |pages=72–74 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701185807/http://www.fourfourtwo.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Interviews/0%2C%2C11442~758106%2C00.html |archive-date=1 July 2007}} Ronaldinho was identified as a rising star at the 1997 U-17 World Championship in Egypt, in which he scored two goals on penalty kicks.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/comp/U17/tournament/0,6288,U17-2005-17,00.html |title=Egypt 1997: Brazil restore some pride |publisher=FIFA |access-date=26 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060704181811/http://www.fifa.com/en/comp/U17/tournament/0%2C6288%2CU17-2005-17%2C00.html |archive-date=4 July 2006 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/en/comp/PrevGoalScorers/0,5874,U17-1997-I,00.html |title=Egypt 1997 goalscorers |publisher=FIFA |access-date=26 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905190557/http://fifa.com/en/comp/PrevGoalScorers/0%2C5874%2CU17-1997-I%2C00.html |archive-date=5 September 2006 |url-status=dead}}

{{Quote box|width=28%|align=right|quote="I've worked with some great players in my time and all at a very interesting period in their careers, nineteen to twenty years old. But, with due respect to the others, Ronaldinho was a cut above the rest." |source =— Grêmio coach Celso Roth.Jethro Soutar (2006). "Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro". p. 81. Robson, 2006.}}

Ronaldinho's career began with the Grêmio youth squad. He made his senior side debut during the 1998 Copa Libertadores.Radnedge, Keir, "The priceless prince of Barcelona", World Soccer, January 2005, pp. 8–9. 1999 saw the emergence of the 18-year-old Ronaldinho, with 22 goals in 47 matches, and he put in headlining displays in derbies against Internacional, most notably on 20 June 1999 in the Rio Grande do Sul State Championship final.Jethro Soutar (2006). "Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro". p. 54. Robson, 2006. In a match-winning performance, Ronaldinho embarrassed Internacional's Brazilian legend and 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga, flicking the ball over his head on one occasion, and leaving him flat-footed in a mazy dribble on another. Ronaldinho achieved further success with Grêmio, winning the inaugural Copa Sul.

In 2001, Arsenal expressed interest in signing Ronaldinho, but the move collapsed after he could not obtain a work permit because he was a non-EU player who had not played enough international matches.[https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/2359161/wenger-bemoans-permit-rules "Wenger bemoans permit rules"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231131420/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/2359161/wenger-bemoans-permit-rules |date=31 December 2019 }}. Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 January 2020. He considered playing on loan with Scottish Premier League side St Mirren, which never happened due to his involvement in a fake passport scandal in Brazil.{{cite web |title=Saints fail in Ronaldinho move |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/scotland/news/2001/0330/20010330smfcsronaldinho.html |first=Stephen |last=McGowan |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=30 March 2001 |access-date=6 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629002913/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/scotland/news/2001/0330/20010330smfcsronaldinho.html |archive-date=29 June 2007}}

File:Pdptifo.jpg (pictured) to much fanfare.{{cite news |title=10 Great Moments from Ronaldinho's Paris Saint-Germain Career |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2404180-10-great-moments-from-ronaldinhos-paris-saint-germain-career |access-date=20 July 2018 |agency=Bleacher Report |archive-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233353/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2404180-10-great-moments-from-ronaldinhos-paris-saint-germain-career |url-status=live}}]]

In 2001, Ronaldinho signed a five-year contract with French club Paris Saint-Germain in a €5 million transfer.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1123095.stm |title=PSG sign Ronaldinho |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 January 2001 |access-date=16 February 2010|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211051114/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/1123095.stm|url-status=live}} Upon his arrival in Paris, Ronaldinho was given the number 21 shirt and inserted into a lineup that included fellow Brazilian Aloísio, midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha and striker Nicolas Anelka.[http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1575600/end-career-paris-saint-germain?cc=5739 "Ronaldinho: I'd like to bow out at PSG"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132538/http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1575600/end-career-paris-saint-germain?cc=5739 |date=17 May 2014 }}. ESPN FC. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

Ronaldinho made his league debut for the club on 4 August 2001, appearing as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with Auxerre.{{cite web |title=AJ Auxerre – Paris Saint-Germain |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46738 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |date=4 August 2001 |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=2 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702210328/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46738 |url-status=live}} Ronaldinho spent the majority of the first few months of the 2001–02 season alternated between the bench and starter's role. He scored his first goal for the club on 13 October in a 2–2 draw against Lyon, converting the equalizing penalty in the 79th minute after having come on ten minutes prior.{{cite web |title=Paris Saint-Germain – Olympique Lyonnais |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46633 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |date=14 October 2001 |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=2 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702211426/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46633 |url-status=live}} After returning from the winter break, Ronaldinho went on a tear, scoring a goal in four consecutive matches to open the new campaign. He recorded impressive goals against Monaco, Rennes, Lens and Lorient. On 16 March 2002, he recorded a double in PSG's 3–1 victory against relegation strugglers Troyes.{{cite web |title=Paris Saint-Germain – ESTAC |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46668 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |date=16 March 2002 |access-date=11 February 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811032621/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46668 |url-status=live}} He scored his final league goal of the season in the club's 2–0 win over Metz on 27 April.{{cite web |title=Paris Saint-Germain – FC Metz |url=http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46618 |publisher=Ligue de Football Professionnel |date=27 April 2002 |access-date=11 February 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811032617/http://www.ligue1.com/ligue1/feuille_match/46618 |url-status=live}}

Ronaldinho was also influential in the 2001–02 Coupe de la Ligue, helping PSG reach the semi-finals where they were eliminated by Bordeaux. In a Round of 16 match against Guingamp, Ronaldinho scored two second-half goals in the game after having entered the match as a half-time substitute. Despite Ronaldinho's initial success with the club, the season was marred by controversy with Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Fernández, claiming that the Brazilian was too focused on the Parisian nightlife rather than football, and complained that his holidays in Brazil never ended at the scheduled times.

Despite repeated rifts with Fernández, Ronaldinho returned to the team for the 2002–03 season, with the player switching to the number 10 shirt. Although his performances in his second season with the club were underwhelming compared to his first, Ronaldinho performed admirably with the club. On 26 October 2002, he scored two goals in PSG's 3–1 victory over Classique rivals Marseille. The first goal was a free kick, which curled past numerous Marseille players in the 18-yard box before sailing past goalkeeper Vedran Runje. In the return match, he again scored in PSG's 3–0 victory at the Stade Vélodrome, running half the length of the field before flicking the ball over the goalkeeper.[http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=57803.html "France round-up: PSG humble Marseille"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923031734/https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid%3D57803.html |date=23 September 2019 }}. UEFA. Retrieved 26 May 2014. On 22 February 2003, Ronaldinho scored the goal of the season (chosen by public vote) against Guingamp—he beat one opponent before playing a one-two to beat another, then lifted the ball over a third before beating a fourth with a step over (dropping his shoulder, moving right but going left) and finished by lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.

Ronaldinho was also praised for his performance in the Coupe de France when he scored both goals in the club's 2–0 win over Bordeaux in the semi-finals, which inserted PSG into the final. After scoring his first goal in the 22nd minute, Ronaldinho capped the game in the 81st minute, accurately chipping the ball at the 18-yard box over the head of goalkeeper Ulrich Ramé, despite Ramé being in a favorable position. For his performance, Ronaldinho was given a standing ovation by the Parisian supporters. Unfortunately for the club, however, Ronaldinho and the team failed to capture the form that got them to the final as they bowed out 2–1 to Auxerre due to a last-minute goal from Jean-Alain Boumsong. Despite Ronaldinho's performances, the club finished in a disappointing 11th-placed position. Following the season, Ronaldinho declared he wanted to leave the club after the capital club failed to qualify for any European competition.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2405590/Real-fans-urge-club-to-sign-Ronaldinho.html "Real fans urge club to sign Ronaldinho"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122080616/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2405590/Real-fans-urge-club-to-sign-Ronaldinho.html |date=22 January 2018 }}. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="Ronaldinho was responsible for the change in Barça. It was a bad time and the change that came about with his arrival was amazing."

|source =— Lionel Messi on the impact of Ronaldinho's arrival at Barcelona.[https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2013-2014/messi-i-learned-a-lot-from-ronaldinho Messi: "I learned a lot from Ronaldinho"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013154619/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2013-2014/messi-i-learned-a-lot-from-ronaldinho |date=13 October 2016 }}. FC Barcelona.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.}}

Newly elected FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated, "I said we would lead Barça to the forefront of the footballing world, and for that to occur we had to sign one of these three players, David Beckham, Thierry Henry or Ronaldinho.""Barcelona: Football's Greatest" (2013). Pitch International LLP. Henry remained with Arsenal, and Laporta then promised to bring Beckham to the club, but following his transfer to Real Madrid, Barcelona entered the running for Ronaldinho and outbid Manchester United for his signature in a €30 million deal.{{cite news |url=http://hemeroteca.elmundodeportivo.es/preview/2003/06/19/pagina-2/1379616/pdf.html |title=Objetivo Ronaldinho |date=19 June 2003 |access-date=24 February 2011 |work=El Mundo Deportivo |language=es|archive-date=20 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720140401/http://hemeroteca.elmundodeportivo.es/preview/2003/06/19/pagina-2/1379616/pdf.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/025a-0eaadeea0a15-71f794c02099-1000--barca-break-bank-for-ronaldinho/ |title=Barça break bank for Ronaldinho |publisher=UEFA |date=21 July 2003 |access-date=24 February 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201406/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=82904.html|url-status=live}}

At the club where he would spend his peak years and the basis of his global fame,{{cite book |last=Kittleson |first=Roger |title=The Country of Football: Soccer and the Making of Modern Brazil |date=2014 |publisher=University of California Press |page=203}} Ronaldinho made his Barcelona debut in a friendly against Juventus at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on 27 July, with coach Frank Rijkaard stating post match, "He has something special every time he touches the ball."{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho debuts for Barca in friendly |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-07-28/ronaldinho-debuts-for-barca-in-friendly/1455840 |access-date=24 July 2018 |agency=ABC |archive-date=27 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027044036/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-07-28/ronaldinho-debuts-for-barca-in-friendly/1455840 |url-status=live}} He scored his first competitive goal in La Liga on 3 September 2003 against Sevilla at 1.30 a.m. local time, in a match that kicked off at five minutes past midnight.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/04/europeanfootball.sport |title=Ronaldinho out scoring til the small hours |work=The Guardian |first=Sid |last=Lowe |date=4 September 2003 |access-date=31 May 2014|archive-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531125207/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/04/europeanfootball.sport|url-status=live}} After receiving the ball from his goalkeeper inside his own half, Ronaldinho ran through the midfield and dribbled past two Sevilla players before striking the ball from 30 yards which hammered off the underside of the crossbar and back up into the roof of the net. Ronaldinho suffered from injury during the first half of the campaign,{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0197-0e6a70ef23cb-9c6383f38881-1000--ronaldinho-ruled-out-for-barca/ |title=Ronaldinho ruled out for Barça |date=10 November 2003 |access-date=24 February 2011 |publisher=UEFA|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201419/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=125668.html|url-status=live}} and Barcelona slumped to 12th in the league standings midway through the season. Ronaldinho returned from injury and scored 15 goals in La Liga during the 2003–04 season, helping the team ultimately finish second in the league.[http://www.espnfc.com/tables/_/league/esp.1/season/2003/spanish-primera-division?cc=5739 2003/04 "Spanish Primera Division Table"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531142735/http://www.espnfc.com/tables/_/league/esp.1/season/2003/spanish-primera-division?cc=5739 |date=31 May 2014 }}. ESPN FC. Retrieved 31 May 2014. His scooped pass set up the winning goal for Xavi away to Real Madrid on 25 April 2004, the club's first win at the Bernabéu in seven years, a result Xavi credits as the start of "the Barcelona rise".{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho – How the godfather of flair changed football forever |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/long-read-ronaldinho-how-godfather-flair-changed-football-forever?page=0%2C1 |access-date=21 July 2018 |work=Four Four Two |archive-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720053520/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/long-read-ronaldinho-how-godfather-flair-changed-football-forever?page=0%2C1 |url-status=live}}

File:Ronaldinho.jpg in his second season with the club.]]

Ronaldinho won his first league title in 2004–05, and was named FIFA World Player of the Year on 20 December 2004. His captain at Barcelona, Carles Puyol, stated, "The greatest compliment I could give him is that he's given Barcelona our spirit back. He has made us smile again." Ronaldinho's fame grew due to his entertaining and productive play in both the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. On 8 March 2005, Barcelona were eliminated from the latter competition by Chelsea in the first knockout round, losing 5–4 over two legs. Ronaldinho scored both goals in the 4–2 second leg loss at Stamford Bridge in London, the second a spectacular strike where he feinted to shoot before striking the ball with little back-lift past Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech from 20 yards out.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4321491.stm |title=Chelsea 4–2 Barcelona |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 March 2005 |access-date=27 June 2006|archive-date=20 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220133428/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4321491.stm|url-status=live}}

{{blockquote|"It's like someone pressed pause and for three seconds all the players stopped and I'm the only one that moves."|Ronaldinho reflects on his toe-poke goal against Chelsea.{{cite news |last=Anka |first=Carl |title=Noughty Boys: Ronaldinho was a magician, we just stood there gawping |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/b3cf523a-62e5-40af-91c5-49185d3f1579 |access-date=23 October 2018 |agency=BBC |date=22 October 2018 |archive-date=23 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023182059/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/b3cf523a-62e5-40af-91c5-49185d3f1579 |url-status=live}}}}

On 1 May 2005, Ronaldinho made the assist for Lionel Messi's first goal for Barcelona, executing a scooped pass over the Albacete defence for Messi to finish.{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Williams |title=Messi Has All the Qualities to Take World by Storm |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 February 2006 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623113153/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/feb/24/championsleague1 |url-status=live}} With his contract expiring in 2008, Ronaldinho was offered an extension until 2014 that would have net him £85 million over nine years,Lowe, Sid, "Friends and enemies", World Soccer, August 2005, pp. 18–21 but he turned it down. In September 2005, he signed a two-year extension that contained a minimum-fee release clause that allowed him to leave should a club make an offer to Barcelona of at least £85 million for him.{{cite news |title=Ronaldinjo do 2010. u Barseloni |url=http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal.php?nav_id=175775&dd=02&mm=09&yyyy=2005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070808112220/http://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal.php?nav_id=175775&dd=02&mm=09&yyyy=2005 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2007 |publisher=B92 |date=2 September 2005 |access-date=14 June 2006}} (in Serbian)

File:Ronaldinhotaking a set piece54.jpg at the Camp Nou in 2005]]

By the end of the year 2005, Ronaldinho had started to accumulate a host of personal awards. He won the inaugural FIFPro World Player of the Year in September 2005, in addition to being included in the 2005 FIFPro World XI, and being named the 2005 European Footballer of the Year. Also that year, Ronaldinho was voted the FIFA World Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. He became only the third player to win the award more than once, after three-time winners Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4486166.stm "Ronaldinho wins world award again"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112053545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4486166.stm |date=12 January 2016 }}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 May 2014. His domination as the world's best footballer was undisputed as he also won the prestigious Ballon d'Or for the only time in his career.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4475808.stm "Ronaldinho scoops European award"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106034156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4475808.stm |date=6 November 2006 }}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 May 2014.{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=2005: The Year Ronaldinho Won The Ballon d'Or For Barcelona {{!}} Football Stories |work=Football Stories |url=http://footballstories.co.uk/2005-the-year-ronaldinho-won-the-ballon-dor-for-barcelona/ |access-date=7 June 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607075730/http://footballstories.co.uk/2005-the-year-ronaldinho-won-the-ballon-dor-for-barcelona/ |url-status=live }}

On 19 November, Ronaldinho scored twice as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–0 on the road in the first leg of El Clásico. After he sealed the match with his second goal, Madrid fans paid homage to his performance by applauding, so rare a tribute only Diego Maradona had ever been granted previously as a Barcelona player at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/real-madrid-0-barcelona-3-bernabeu-forced-to-pay-homage-as-ronaldinho-soars-above-the-galacticos-516202.html "Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3: Bernabeu forced to pay homage as Ronaldinho soars above the galacticos"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109235502/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/real-madrid-0-barcelona-3-bernabeu-forced-to-pay-homage-as-ronaldinho-soars-above-the-galacticos-516202.html |date=9 January 2018 }}. The Independent. Retrieved 29 November 2013. Ronaldinho stated, "I will never forget this because it is very rare for any footballer to be applauded in this way by the opposition fans."

{{Quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="He transmits a lot of joy and pleasure playing the game, and he has individual skills that are of such a high level that everybody in the world adores him."

|source = — Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard on Ronaldinho during the 2005–06 season.[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/world/2006-04-17-ronaldinho-cover_x.htm "Ronaldinho's juggling act"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527212008/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/world/2006-04-17-ronaldinho-cover_x.htm |date=27 May 2014 }}. USA Today. Retrieved 26 May 2014.}}

The season is considered one of the best in Ronaldinho's career as he was an instrumental part of Barcelona's first Champions League title in 14 years. After winning their group convincingly, Barcelona faced Chelsea in the round of 16 for a rematch of the previous year. Ronaldinho scored a decisive goal in the second leg, going past three Chelsea defenders on the edge of the penalty area before beating the goalkeeper, sealing Barcelona's qualification to the next round.[http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/03/07/champions.barcelona/ "Ronaldinho snuffs out Chelsea bid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531145745/http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SPORT/football/03/07/champions.barcelona/ |date=31 May 2014 }}. CNN. Retrieved 31 May 2014. He also contributed one goal in Barcelona's elimination of Benfica in the quarter-finals with a 2–0 home victory. After a 1–0 semi-final aggregate win over Milan, in which Ronaldinho assisted the series' only goal by Ludovic Giuly, Barcelona progressed to the Champions League Final, which they won on 17 May 2006 with a 2–1 beating of Arsenal.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=10 September 2014|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902101230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm|url-status=live}} Two weeks earlier, Barcelona had clinched their second-straight La Liga title with a 1–0 win over Celta de Vigo, giving Ronaldinho his first career double.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4970966.stm |title=Barca retain Spanish league title |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2006 |access-date=10 September 2014|archive-date=1 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901090556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4970966.stm|url-status=live}}

Throughout the season, Ronaldinho linked up with prolific Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o in attack, providing a number of assists to the 34 goal striker; Ronaldinho's pass also put Eto'o through on goal in the Champions League Final from which he was brought down by Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann who was sent off.{{cite news |title=Referee regrets Lehmann red card |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4993994.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2006 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=28 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228002729/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/4993994.stm |url-status=live}} Ronaldinho finished the season with a career-best 26 goals, including seventeen in La Liga and seven in the Champions League, and was chosen for the UEFA Team of the Year for the third consecutive time and was named the 2005–06 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.[http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/teams/player=61659/profile/index.html "Ronaldinho"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517141114/http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/teams/player=61659/profile/index.html |date=17 May 2014 }}. UEFA. Retrieved 16 May 2014. He was named in the six man shortlist for the 2006 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, and was selected in the FIFA World XI.{{cite web |url=http://www.fifpro.org/fifpro_world/award_history/2006 |title=FIFPro World XI 2006|access-date=8 August 2014|archive-date=9 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809052656/http://www.fifpro.org/fifpro_world/award_history/2006|url-status=live}} FIFPro. Retrieved 8 August 2014.

{{Quote box|width=29%|align=right|quote="When you play with him and see what he does with a ball, nothing surprises me any more. One of these days, he will make the ball talk."

|source =— Barcelona teammate Eiður Guðjohnsen on Ronaldinho, December 2006.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/07/championsleague |title=Ronaldinho lets the ball do the talking |work=The Guardian |first=Michael |last=Walker |date=7 December 2006 |access-date=29 November 2013|archive-date=9 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209113549/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/07/championsleague|url-status=live}}}}

On 25 November 2006, Ronaldinho scored his 50th career league goal against Villarreal, then scored a second time with a spectacular overhead bicycle kick; receiving Xavi's cross, he flicked the ball up with his chest and spun 180 degrees to finish—Barcelona fans waved white handkerchiefs in admiration of the goal.{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho's overhead kick against Villarreal (2006/07) |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DH_gBJT9bAg |website=YouTube |date=13 December 2013 |publisher=FC Barcelona |access-date=27 July 2018 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418051721/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DH_gBJT9bAg |url-status=live}} After the match, he told reporters that the latter was a goal he had dreamed of scoring since he was a boy.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/393786 |title=Ronaldinho fulfils boyhood dream with overhead goal |publisher=ESPN FC |date=26 November 2006 |access-date=6 January 2007|archive-date=4 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204214839/http://www.espnfc.com/story/393786|url-status=live}} He scored once and set up two others in Barcelona's 4–0 Club World Cup win over Mexico's Club América on 14 December in Yokohama, Japan,{{cite news |title=Soccer: Ronaldinho turns on style as Barcelona beat Club America 4–0 |url=http://asia.news.yahoo.com/061214/kyodo/d8m0kc804.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107070636/http://asia.news.yahoo.com/061214/kyodo/d8m0kc804.html |archive-date=7 January 2007 |date=14 December 2006}} but Barcelona were defeated 1–0 by Brazilian club Internacional in the final. Ronaldinho was the recipient of the Bronze Ball Award for the competition.{{cite news |title=Adidas golden ball |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/japan2006/awards/index.html |access-date=27 July 2018 |agency=FIFA.com |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618052400/https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/archive/japan2006/awards/index.html |url-status=dead}}

The next day, Ronaldinho finished third in the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year, behind 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Zinedine Zidane.{{cite web |title=Cannavaro & Ronaldinho: We already feel like winners |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/awards/gala/news/newsid=108757.html |publisher=FIFA |date=18 December 2006 |access-date=23 December 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604164928/http://www.worldsoccer.com/Awards/archive.php |archive-date=4 June 2011}} In March 2007, defending champions Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League at the last 16 stage by Liverpool.{{cite news |title=Benítez master plan too shrewd for Barca |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/07/match.sport1 |access-date=15 August 2021 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=2 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141002233818/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/07/match.sport1 |url-status=live }} Ronaldinho was forced to miss a charity match on 13 March due to an injury he had picked up several days earlier in Barcelona's 3–3 El Clásico draw with Real Madrid.{{cite web |url=http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=410669 |title=Ronaldinho misses out |publisher=Manchester United F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=25 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825222535/http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=410669 |url-status=live}} Although Ronaldinho scored his career-best 21 league goals, the team lost the title to Real with a worse head-to-head record, as both teams finished the season with the same number of points.[http://www.espnfc.com/tables/_/league/esp.1/season/2006/spanish-primera-division?cc=5739 2006/07 "Spanish Primera Division Table"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531142822/http://www.espnfc.com/tables/_/league/esp.1/season/2006/spanish-primera-division?cc=5739 |date=31 May 2014}}. ESPN FC. Retrieved 31 May 2014.

File:Soccer Ronaldinho.jpg

Ronaldinho played his 200th career match for Barcelona in a league match against Osasuna on 3 February 2008. His 2007–08 campaign as a whole, however, was plagued by injuries, and a muscle tear in his right leg on 3 April prematurely ended his season.{{cite news |title=Injury ends Ronaldinho's campaign |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/injury-ends-ronaldinhos-campaign-804944.html |first=Gordon |last=Tynan |date=5 April 2008 |department=Football |work=The Independent |location=UK |access-date=6 June 2008 |archive-date=6 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606025809/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/injury-ends-ronaldinhos-campaign-804944.html |url-status=live}} Having been a model professional and devoted himself to training during his hugely successful first three seasons at Barcelona, Ronaldinho's partying lifestyle and lack of dedication to training saw his physical condition decline, with many at the club believing he was already below his prime.{{cite news |title=Friday afternoon question: Will Ronaldinho leave Barcelona? |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/29/friday-afternoon-question-will-ronaldinho-leave-barcelona/ |work=Reuters |date=20 September 2016|access-date=14 October 2016|archive-date=18 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018210046/http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/29/friday-afternoon-question-will-ronaldinho-leave-barcelona/|url-status=dead}} On 19 May 2008, Barcelona club president Joan Laporta stated that Ronaldinho needed a "new challenge", claiming that he needed a new club if he were to revive his career.{{cite news |url=http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/9517/default.aspx |title=Laporta: Ronaldinho needs to leave Nou Camp |work=FourFourTwo |date=19 May 2008 |access-date=19 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723164915/http://fourfourtwo.com/news/spain/9517/default.aspx |archive-date=23 July 2008}}

{{blockquote|Ronaldinho joined Barca as a toothy-grinned wizard who had the club under his spell for three glorious seasons. He will leave a rather forlorn figure. Whether his magic has been exhausted or he just needs a new challenge remains to be seen.|Simon Baskett, Reuters, July 2008.{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho from hero to zero at Nou Camp |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-ronaldinho-newsmaker-idUKL2842906320080715 |work=Reuters |date=20 September 2016|access-date=20 September 2016|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013074306/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-ronaldinho-newsmaker-idUKL2842906320080715|url-status=dead}}}}

Ronaldinho and Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi each captained a team of international stars in an anti-racism exhibition match in Venezuela on 28 June, which ended in a 7–7 draw. Ronaldinho finished with a pair of goals and two assists in what would be his last match as a Barcelona player.{{cite web |url=http://msn.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3757681,00.html |title=MSN Football |publisher=Msn.football365.com |date=1 March 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229151746/http://msn.football365.com/story/0%2C17033%2C8652_3757681%2C00.html |archive-date=29 December 2009}} In preparation for the 2010 Joan Gamper Trophy, Ronaldinho sent an open letter to the fans and players of Barcelona, stating that his best years had been the five he spent in the Catalan club.{{cite web |url=http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/noticies/futbol/temporada10-11/08/24/n100824112529.html |title=Open letter from Ronaldinho |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=24 August 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604164928/http://www.worldsoccer.com/Awards/archive.php |archive-date=4 June 2011}} It was a sad moment for him and he later said in an interview that he regretted leaving without playing long enough with Messi.[http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1326457/ronaldinho-backs-fellow-brazil-star-neymar-to-eclipse-lionel-messi?cc=5739 "Ronaldinho: Neymar destined for the top"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517115058/http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1326457/ronaldinho-backs-fellow-brazil-star-neymar-to-eclipse-lionel-messi?cc=5739 |date=17 May 2014}}. ESPN. Retrieved 16 May 2014.

In July 2008, Ronaldinho turned down a £25.5 million offer from Manchester City of the Premier League, with purported wages of £200,000 per week on offer,{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Daniel |author-link1=Daniel Taylor (journalist) |last2=James |first2=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/09/manchestercity.premierleague |title=Man City offer Ronaldinho £200,000 a week to join |date=9 June 2008 |access-date=26 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=25 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625171727/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jun/09/manchestercity.premierleague |url-status=live}} to join Italian Serie A giants AC Milan on a three-year contract thought to be worth around £5.1 million (€6.5 million) a year, for €22.05 million plus €1.05 million bonus each season (€24.15 million in 2010).{{cite web |url=http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2008/07/16/ronaldinho-snubs-man-city-for-ac-milan/ |title=Ronaldinho Snubs Man City for AC Milan – AOL Fanhouse, 7/16/08 |publisher=Soccer.fanhouse.com |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=24 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624125237/http://soccer.fanhouse.com/2008/07/16/ronaldinho-snubs-man-city-for-ac-milan/ |url-status=live}}page 180, [http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-08.pdf AC Milan Group financial report 2008] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213083327/http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-08.pdf |date=13 December 2011}}page 180, [http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-09.pdf AC Milan Group financial report 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710130700/http://media3.acmilan.com/uploads/bilancio/BilancioGruppoMilan_ACM_12-09.pdf |date=10 July 2012}}page 178, [http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/bilancio2010/pdf/Bilancio_Gruppo_Milan_10.pdf AC Milan Group financial report 2010] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515220657/http://www.acmilan.com/uploads/club/bilancio2010/pdf/Bilancio_Gruppo_Milan_10.pdf |date=15 May 2012}} With the number 10 already occupied by teammate Clarence Seedorf, he selected 80 as his jersey number.{{cite news |title=The Fascinating Stories Behind 13 Famous Shirt Numbers |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/2491270-the-fascinating-stories-behind-13-famous-shirt-numbers |work=90min.com. |date=15 May 2018|access-date=15 May 2018|archive-date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515184621/https://www.90min.com/posts/2491270-the-fascinating-stories-behind-13-famous-shirt-numbers|url-status=live}}

Ronaldinho scored his first goal for Milan in a 1–0 derby victory over Inter Milan on 28 September. His first brace was in a 3–0 win over Sampdoria on 19 October. He scored a 93rd-minute match-winner against Braga in the UEFA Cup group stage on 6 November. Ronaldinho finished the 2008–09 season at Milan with 10 goals from 32 appearances in all competitions. After a good start to the season, Ronaldinho struggled with fitness, and was often played from the bench to end a disappointing first season for Milan. A perceived lack of dedication in training and a lifestyle of late night partying not befitting of an athlete saw him receive criticism, with Carlo Ancelotti, his coach at Milan in his first season in Italy, commenting, "The decline of Ronaldinho hasn't surprised me. His physical condition has always been very precarious. His talent though has never been in question."{{cite news |title=Analysis: Milan party's over as Ronaldinho trudges home |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-latam-ronaldinho-idUKTRE7055CP20110106 |work=Reuters |issue=6 January 2011 |date=6 March 2015|access-date=6 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130645/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/01/06/uk-soccer-latam-ronaldinho-idUKTRE7055CP20110106|url-status=dead}}

File:Ronaldinho by Vicario.JPG

Ronaldinho's second season did not begin on a high note, but he soon rediscovered his form and was arguably Milan's best player of the season. Newly appointed coach Leonardo changed his role from a central attacking midfielder to the left side of midfield, with Alexandre Pato on the right, in an offensive 4–3–3 formation.{{cite news |title=Despite Milan Defeat, Ronaldinho Is Officially Back Among The World's Best |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2010/02/18/1795703/champions-league-comment-despite-milan-defeat-ronaldinho-is |access-date=6 August 2018 |agency=Goal |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001653/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2010/02/18/1795703/champions-league-comment-despite-milan-defeat-ronaldinho-is |url-status=live}}

On 10 January 2010, Ronaldinho scored two goals against Juventus in an away match, sealing a 3–0 victory for Milan. In the following match, against Siena on 17 January, Ronaldinho scored his first hat-trick for Milan when he converted a penalty kick, scored with a header from a corner and finished with a strike into the top right corner from 20 yards out.{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/726843/ronaldinho-hat-trick-as-milan-win-juve-lose |title=Ronaldinho hat-trick as Milan win, Juve lose |publisher=ESPN FC |date=17 January 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019181602/http://www.espnfc.com/story/726843/ronaldinho-hat-trick-as-milan-win-juve-lose|url-status=live}} The Estado De São Paulo newspaper declared, "Ronaldinho revives his golden years". On 16 February, Ronaldinho played against Manchester United in the Champions League. He scored early in the game at the San Siro to give Milan the lead. Milan ended up losing the game 3–2, with a goal from Paul Scholes and two goals from Wayne Rooney.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8515983.stm "AC Milan 2–3 Manchester United"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323210413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8515983.stm |date=23 March 2013}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 June 2014.

Ronaldinho finished the season as the assists leader of Serie A. On a less positive note, however, he missed three penalties in the domestic season to add to one botched kick the previous season. Ronaldinho ended the Serie A campaign scoring two goals against Juventus; Luca Antonini opened the scoring and Milan went on to win 3–0 in Leonardo's last game in charge.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/14/acmilan-serieafootball |title=Leonardo leaves post as Milan manager by mutual consent |work=The Guardian |first=Nicky |last=Bandini |date=14 May 2010 |access-date=17 June 2014|archive-date=4 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404012336/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/14/acmilan-serieafootball|url-status=live}}

During the first half of the season, Ronaldinho was part of the team's attack that also included two new signings, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Robinho. Before the winter break, he made 16 appearances, scored one goal, and made several assists.{{Cite web |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/club/palmares/scudetto-2010-11 |title=Scudetto 2010/11 |publisher=AC Milan |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926193033/https://www.acmilan.com/en/club/palmares/scudetto-2010-11 |url-status=live}}

File:Ronaldinho Gaúcho.jpg for Flamengo in February 2011.]]

After being heavily linked with a move back to his childhood club Grêmio, Ronaldinho joined Flamengo on 11 January 2011 with a contract ending in 2014.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9356437.stm Ronaldinho joins Brazilian club Flamengo] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225150211/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9356437.stm |date=25 February 2020}} BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 January 2011. During the transfer saga, many reports had linked the former World Player of the Year to joining different clubs, such as LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer, Blackburn Rovers of the Premier League, and Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Palmeiras. He was greeted by more than 20,000 fans at his unveiling at his new club on 13 January 2011.{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2011/January/13/fans-flock-to-welcome-ronaldinho/ |title=Fans flock to welcome Ronaldinho |date=13 January 2011 |work=Soccerway |access-date=18 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116002844/http://www.soccerway.com/news/2011/January/13/fans-flock-to-welcome-ronaldinho/ |archive-date=16 January 2011}}

Ronaldinho scored his first goal for Flamengo in the 3–2 victory against Boavista on 6 February 2011.{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/campeonatocarioca2011/06-02-2011/boavista-flamengo.html |title=Boavista x Flamengo |date=6 February 2011 |publisher=GloboEsporte.com|access-date=14 February 2011|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120045418/http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/campeonatocarioca2011/06-02-2011/boavista-flamengo.html|url-status=live}} On 27 February, he converted a second-half free kick for Flamengo to beat Boavista 1–0 and win his first piece of silverware with the team, the Taça Guanabara. Ronaldinho lifted his first trophy with Flamengo after curling in a right-footed shot over the wall in the 71st minute at Engenhão stadium. The goal gave Flamengo its 19th Taça Guanabara title, which earned the Campeonato Carioca title two months later, as the team also won the Taça Rio. On 27 July 2011, Ronaldinho scored a hat-trick in Flamengo's 5–4 away win against rivals Santos, after being 3–0 down inside the first 30 minutes.{{cite web |url=http://fourfourtwo.com/news/southamerica/83122/default.aspx |title=Ronaldinho hits hat-trick in 5–4 Flamengo win |date=28 July 2011 |work=FourFourTwo |access-date=28 July 2011|archive-date=17 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217203513/http://fourfourtwo.com/news/southamerica/83122/default.aspx|url-status=live}} On 31 May 2012, after being absent for a few days, he sued Flamengo claiming lack of payment for four months and cancelled his contract with the club.{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho entra na Justiça e rescinde contrato com o Flamengo |url=http://www.istoe.com.br/reportagens/210503_RONALDINHO+ENTRA+NA+JUSTICA+E+RESCINDE+CONTRATO+COM+O+FLAMENGO?pathImagens=&path=&actualArea=internalPage |date=31 May 2011|access-date=5 June 2012|archive-date=6 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606164413/http://www.istoe.com.br/reportagens/210503_RONALDINHO+ENTRA+NA+JUSTICA+E+RESCINDE+CONTRATO+COM+O+FLAMENGO?pathImagens=&path=&actualArea=internalPage|url-status=live}}

File:Ronaldinho 2012 02.jpg in the Brazilian Série A in October 2012]]

Ronaldinho made a move to Atlético Mineiro on 4 June 2012 in a six-month contract, just four days after leaving Flamengo. He wore number 49 in reference to his mother's birth year since his preferred number 10 was already assigned to Guilherme in the 2012 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.lancenet.com.br/atletico-mineiro/Copacabana-Palace-Kalil-conduzia-R10_0_712728917.html |title=Da piscina do Copacabana Palace, Kalil conduzia acerto – Atlético-MG |publisher=Lancenet.com.br |access-date=24 January 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204174006/http://www.lancenet.com.br/atletico-mineiro/Copacabana-Palace-Kalil-conduzia-R10_0_712728917.html |archive-date=4 February 2015}}

Ronaldinho made his debut for Galo on 9 June 2012, playing for 90 minutes in a 1–0 away win against Palmeiras,{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/brasileirao2012/09-06-2012/palmeiras-atletico-mg.html |title=Palmeiras x Atlético-MG – Campeonato Brasileiro 2012 |work=Globo Esporte |access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703202907/http://globoesporte.globo.com/jogo/brasileirao2012/09-06-2012/palmeiras-atletico-mg.html|url-status=live}} and scored his first goal for the club on 23 June 2012 against Náutico, from the penalty spot.{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/temporeal/futebol/23-06-2012/atletico-mg-nautico/ |title=Atlético-MG x Náutico – Campeonato Brasileiro |work=Globo Esporte |access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703203112/http://globoesporte.globo.com/temporeal/futebol/23-06-2012/atletico-mg-nautico/|url-status=live}} Ronaldinho led Atlético Mineiro to a good 2012 season, in which the club finished second in the 2012 Brasileirão and qualified for the 2013 Copa Libertadores. Ronaldinho won the Bola de Ouro award, selected as the best player in the league.{{cite web |url=http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/ronaldinho-gaucho-leva-bola-de-ouro-do-brasileirao-2012-6911489 |title=Ronaldinho Gaúcho leva Bola de Ouro do Brasileirão 2012 |work=Jornal O Globo |date=2 January 2014 |access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=24 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124000443/http://oglobo.globo.com/esportes/ronaldinho-gaucho-leva-bola-de-ouro-do-brasileirao-2012-6911489|url-status=live}}

{{quote box|width=28%|align=left|The career of Ronaldinho poses a stark question. Should we be grateful for what he gave us or angry that it ended so soon? Delighted to have shared a pitch with him for 90 minutes, there is no doubt which way the Raja Casablanca players would cast their votes.|Tim Vickery on Ronaldinho being six years past his prime, and being mobbed by opposition players at the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup.}}

The following year, Ronaldinho helped Atlético win the Campeonato Mineiro and led the club to its first Copa Libertadores title. Ronaldinho scored four goals and assisted on eight occasions during Atlético's dramatic title run,{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/assists/copa-libertadores-2013/ |title=Copa Libertadores 2013 » Assists |work=WorldFootball |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=25 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025132704/https://www.worldfootball.net/assists/copa-libertadores-2013/ |url-status=live}} which included consecutive comebacks from 0–2 first leg defeats in both the semi-finals against Argentine club Newell's Old Boys and the finals against Club Olimpia from Paraguay. Both ties were determined in Atlético's favour after penalty shootouts. Although six years past his best, Ronaldinho's displays saw him voted the 2013 South American Footballer of the Year.{{cite web |url=http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/06/ronaldinho-2013-south-american-player-of-the-year |title=Ronaldinho voted 2013 South American Player of the Year |work=ProSoccerTalk |access-date=24 January 2014 |date=6 January 2014|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109054125/http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/06/ronaldinho-2013-south-american-player-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}

At the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup held in Morocco in December, Atlético lost 3–1 to Raja Casablanca in the semi-final, with Ronaldinho scoring from a free-kick. As the final whistle blew, the Raja Casablanca team rushed to their childhood idol and stripped him down to his underpants in search of souvenirs. He renewed his contract with Atlético in January 2014.{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=Mark |title=Ronaldinho signs new Atletico Mineiro contract |url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/01/09/4532500/ronaldinho-signs-new-atletico-mineiro-contract |access-date=9 January 2014 |work=Goal.com |date=9 January 2014|archive-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112122632/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2014/01/09/4532500/ronaldinho-signs-new-atletico-mineiro-contract|url-status=live}} After winning the 2014 Recopa Sudamericana, Ronaldinho left the club in July, reaching an agreement to cancel his contract by mutual consent.{{cite web |last=Lacerda |first=Bernardo |title=Ronaldinho Gaúcho rescinde contrato e encerra ciclo no Atlético-MG |url=http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2014/07/28/ronaldinho-gaucho-rescinde-contrato-e-encerra-ciclo-no-atletico-mg.htm |access-date=4 September 2014 |publisher=UOL Esporte |date=28 July 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103207/http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2014/07/28/ronaldinho-gaucho-rescinde-contrato-e-encerra-ciclo-no-atletico-mg.htm|url-status=live}}

After becoming a free agent, Ronaldinho was offered contracts from English Conference South club Basingstoke Town and newly formed Indian Super League franchise Chennai Titans through their co-owner Prashant Agarwal,{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sports/Football/Indian-Super-League/Top-Stories/ISL-Titans-in-Rome-to-woo-Ronaldinho/articleshow/41412638.cms |title=ISL: Titans in Rome to woo Ronaldinho |work=The Times of India |date=1 September 2014 |access-date=1 September 2014|archive-date=1 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901123920/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/ISL-Titans-in-Rome-to-woo-Ronaldinho/articleshow/41412638.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29067406 |title=Ronaldinho: Basingstoke Town bid to sign Brazil legend |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014 |publisher=BBC Sport|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013071408/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29067406|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/04/basingstoke-town-ronaldinho-free-agent |title=Basingstoke Town in audacious bid to sign out-of-contract Ronaldinho |work=The Guardian |date=4 September 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014|archive-date=4 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904232357/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/04/basingstoke-town-ronaldinho-free-agent|url-status=live}} but eventually signed a two-year contract with Mexican club Querétaro on 5 September 2014.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29093426 |title=Ronaldinho: Ex-World Cup winner signs for Queretaro |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 September 2014 |access-date=6 September 2014|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013083145/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29093426|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/indian-super-league-blow-chennai-titans-isl-fans-ronaldinho-signs-mexican-club-608436 |title=Indian Super League: Blow for Chennai Titans and ISL Fans as Ronaldinho Signs for Mexican Club |work=IB Times |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=5 September 2014|archive-date=6 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906131829/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/indian-super-league-blow-chennai-titans-isl-fans-ronaldinho-signs-mexican-club-608436|url-status=live}} Ronaldinho made his debut for Querétaro in a 1–0 loss to Tigres UANL where he missed a penalty kick.{{cite web |url=http://nesn.com/2014/09/ronaldinho-misses-penalty-kick-badly-in-queretaro-debut-gif/ |title=Ronaldinho Skies Penalty Kick Over The Bar In Queretaro Debut (GIF) |author=Marcus Kwesi O'Mard |publisher=New England Sports Network |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=23 September 2014 |archive-date=23 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923065138/http://nesn.com/2014/09/ronaldinho-misses-penalty-kick-badly-in-queretaro-debut-gif/ |url-status=live}} In his next match, however, against Guadalajara, he had a much better game, setting up Camilo Sanvezzo to score as well as scoring himself from a penalty kick in a 4–1 win.{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho steals the show in Liga MX debut versus Chivas |url=http://www.espnfc.us/mexican-liga-mx/22/blog/post/2049578/ronaldinho-steals-the-show-in-liga-mx-debut-versus-chivas |publisher=ESPN FC |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=23 September 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006170350/http://www.espnfc.us/mexican-liga-mx/22/blog/post/2049578/ronaldinho-steals-the-show-in-liga-mx-debut-versus-chivas|url-status=live}} On 30 October 2014, he scored a free kick against Atlas during an away match at the Estadio Jalisco.{{cite web |title=Pese a golazo de Ronaldinho, Querétaro cae 2–1 ante Atlas |url=http://deportes.terra.com/futbol/liga-mx/pese-a-golazo-de-ronaldinho-queretaro-cae-2-1-ante-atlas,d2da7a8d0a9c8410VgnVCM10000098cceb0aRCRD.html |work=Deportes Terra |date=30 October 2014 |access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518095909/http://deportes.terra.com/futbol/liga-mx/pese-a-golazo-de-ronaldinho-queretaro-cae-2-1-ante-atlas,d2da7a8d0a9c8410VgnVCM10000098cceb0aRCRD.html|url-status=live}}

On 18 April 2015, Ronaldinho scored twice against Liga MX title-holders América in an away game at the Estadio Azteca, in which his team won 4–0.[https://www.goal.com/es/partido/am%C3%A9rica-v-quer%C3%A9taro/2kx1sh1ewdq19p20n72bkij1l "Querétaro 4–0 América"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231124243/https://www.goal.com/es/partido/am%25C3%25A9rica-v-quer%25C3%25A9taro/2kx1sh1ewdq19p20n72bkij1l |date=31 December 2019}}. Goal. Retrieved 16 January 2020. All of the spectators, mostly consisting of América supporters, gave a standing ovation to Ronaldinho after his goals had brought him to tears. This was the second time in Ronaldinho's career he had received such an ovation from opposing fans (after Madrid fans had applauded his performance in a Barcelona shirt in 2005), and after the match, Ronaldinho stated in an interview, "It is an emotion to live more. I had an ovation at the Bernabéu and now here. I never imagined this. It is something that makes me like Mexico even more and I feel right at home."{{cite web |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/news/story/_/id/2350536/dinho-feliz-con-doblete-en-el-azteca-ovacion-en-el-bernabeu-y-ahora-aqui |title=Dinho, feliz con doblete en el Azteca: 'Ovación en el Bernabéu y ahora aquí' |publisher=ESPN Deportes |date=18 April 2015 |access-date=24 April 2015|archive-date=22 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422041811/http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/2350536/dinho-feliz-con-doblete-en-el-azteca-ovacion-en-el-bernabeu-y-ahora-aqui|url-status=live}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxa8Oti41-M |title=Ronaldinho: "Me ovacionó el Bernabéu y ahora El Azteca es algo que nunca olvidaré" vs America |publisher=YouTube |date=19 April 2015 |access-date=24 April 2015 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019181602/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxa8Oti41-M |url-status=live}}

Ronaldinho scored two penalties in consecutive matches, the second giving Querétaro the classification to the Liga MX playoffs.{{cite web |url=http://www.univision.com/deportes/futbol/liga-mx-clausura/queretaro-1-0-chiapas-cantan-ronaldinho-y-gallos-en-el-ultimo-minuto |title=Querétaro 1–0 Chiapas: Cantan Ronaldinho y Gallos en el último minuto |publisher=Univision Deportes |date=8 May 2015 |access-date=10 May 2015|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019181602/http://www.univision.com/deportes/futbol/liga-mx-clausura/queretaro-1-0-chiapas-cantan-ronaldinho-y-gallos-en-el-ultimo-minuto|url-status=live}} On 17 May 2015, Querétaro progressed to the semi-finals after defeating Veracruz 4–3 aggregate. In the second match, Ronaldinho scored a free kick with the help of the opponent's goalkeeper who made contact with the ball.{{cite web |url=http://www.univision.com/deportes/futbol/otro-oso-de-meliton-en-el-gol-de-ronaldinho-video |title=Otro oso de Melitón en el gol de Ronaldinho |publisher=Univision Deportes |date=17 May 2015 |access-date=17 May 2015|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019181602/http://www.univision.com/deportes/futbol/otro-oso-de-meliton-en-el-gol-de-ronaldinho-video|url-status=live}} Querétaro eventually advanced to the final after beating Pachuca on aggregate 2–2. In the final against Santos Laguna, Querétaro lost the first leg 0–5 and then won the 2nd leg 3–0 but lost 3–5 on aggregate. In June 2015, Ronaldinho, now 35, announced his departure from the club and thanked the Mexican people and fans of Querétaro: "I want to thank all the Mexican nation for all the days that I have lived with people so special, you will be forever in my heart. Thank you very much the Nation Gallos Blancos, which made me very proud to wear this shirt and defend this club."{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/20/ronaldinho-queretaro-departure-one-year-contract |title=Ronaldinho confirms Querétaro departure with one year left on contract |work=The Guardian |date=20 June 2015 |access-date=24 September 2016|archive-date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928004245/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/20/ronaldinho-queretaro-departure-one-year-contract|url-status=live}}

On 11 July 2015, Ronaldinho announced his return to Brazil and signed an 18-month contract with Fluminense,{{cite news |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/fluminense/noticia/2015/07/nao-falta-mais-nada-ronaldinho-assina-contrato-e-e-jogador-do-flu.html |title=Não falta mais nada: Ronaldinho Gaúcho assina contrato e é do Flu |date=11 July 2015 |access-date=11 July 2015|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712205545/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/fluminense/noticia/2015/07/nao-falta-mais-nada-ronaldinho-assina-contrato-e-e-jogador-do-flu.html|url-status=live}} but on 28 September, Ronaldinho reached a mutual agreement with the club to terminate the deal.{{cite news |url=http://www.fluminense.com.br/site/futebol/2015/09/28/comunicado-oficial/ |title=Comunicado oficial |date=28 September 2015 |access-date=29 September 2015|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002234845/http://www.fluminense.com.br/site/futebol/2015/09/28/comunicado-oficial/|url-status=live}} He made nine appearances during his two-month stint at the club, failing to impress and being heavily criticized by the fans.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/3296/brazil/2015/09/28/15816802/ronaldinho-leaves-fluminense-after-nine-games |title=Ronaldinho leaves Fluminense after nine games |work=Goal.com |date=28 September 2015 |access-date=29 September 2015|archive-date=1 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001002149/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/3296/brazil/2015/09/28/15816802/ronaldinho-leaves-fluminense-after-nine-games|url-status=live}} Fluminense sporting director Mario Bittencourt stated, "Ronaldinho asked us for a meeting. He respectfully told us he didn't feel he was able to perform as well as he wanted and that it was a bad situation for him. He made a great gesture in saying he wasn't being the player he felt he could be right now. I'll never speak about whether or not he is retiring. That's not something you say about a player of his calibre. He was always spectacular, as player and person."

File:Ronaldinho 2016.jpg in November 2016]]

In July 2016, Ronaldinho played for the Goa 5′s, a futsal team from Goa in India, together with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Míchel Salgado, and Hernán Crespo as well as futsal player Falcão in the Premier Futsal League.[http://www.ran.de/fussball/international/bildergalerien/ronaldinho-mit-traumdebuet-diese-stars-spielen-in-der-indischen-premier-futsal-league Ronaldinho mit Traumdebüt: Diese Stars spielen in der indischen Premier Futsal League] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718055849/http://www.ran.de/fussball/international/bildergalerien/ronaldinho-mit-traumdebuet-diese-stars-spielen-in-der-indischen-premier-futsal-league |date=18 July 2016}}, ran.de, accessed 18 July 2016 (in German) After two games, he left India to be an ambassador of the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Ronaldinho-returns-home-leaves-Goa-high-and-dry/articleshow/53273433.cms "Ronaldinho returns home, leaves Goa high and dry"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009210038/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Ronaldinho-returns-home-leaves-Goa-high-and-dry/articleshow/53273433.cms |date=9 October 2016}}. Times of India. Retrieved 16 January 2020. He was replaced by Cafu.[http://www.premierfutsal.com/reports/19 Ronaldinho to be replaced by Cafu as Goa's marquee player] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725141432/http://www.premierfutsal.com/reports/19 |date=25 July 2016}}, premierfutsal.com, 18 July 2016, accessed 25 July 2016.

From September to early October 2017, Ronaldinho joined the Delhi Dragons from Delhi in the Premier Futsal League. He scored 16 goals in eight games.[https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/mumbai-warriors-x-mumbai-warriors/50775/ Mumbai Warriors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064247/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/mumbai-warriors-x-mumbai-warriors/50775/|date=23 July 2018}}, [https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/chennai-singhams-x-chennai-singhams/50778/ Chennai Singhams] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064330/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/chennai-singhams-x-chennai-singhams/50778/|date=23 July 2018}}, [https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/51060/ Bengaluru Royal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064350/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/51060/|date=23 July 2018}}, [https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/kerala-cobras-x-kerala-cobras/51061/ Kerala Cobra] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064244/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/kerala-cobras-x-kerala-cobras/51061/|date=23 July 2018}}, [https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/telugu-tigers-x-telugu-tigers/51064/ Telugu Tigers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064347/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/telugu-tigers-x-telugu-tigers/51064/|date=23 July 2018}}, Bengaluru Royals ([https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/52227/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064342/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/52227/|date=23 July 2018}}, [https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/52229/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064346/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/52229/|date=23 July 2018}}) [https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/52368/ Mumbai Warriors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723064301/https://wtvision.videobserver.com/en/match/delhi-dragons-x-delhi-dragons/52368/|date=23 July 2018}} (final), all accessed 20 October 2017.

On 16 January 2018, Ronaldinho confirmed his retirement from football through his brother/agent: "He has stopped, it is ended. Let's do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August."{{cite news |title=Brazil legend Ronaldinho retires from football, says his brother and agent |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/16/ronaldinho-retires-from-football-brazil-barcelona |access-date=17 January 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=16 January 2018|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117005330/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/16/ronaldinho-retires-from-football-brazil-barcelona|url-status=live}} Such a celebration was supposed to take place three years after his last appearance for Fluminense, but has not materialized. He retired as one of just eight players to have won the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d'Or.{{cite news |title=Kaka: Former Brazil, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfielder announces retirement |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42386038 |agency=BBC |date=27 July 2018|access-date=29 July 2018|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618202444/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42386038|url-status=live}}

Ronaldinho appeared at the closing ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 15 July, performing a few bars of the Russian folk song "Kalinka" (sung by opera singer Aida Garifullina) on an African drum.{{cite news |date=15 July 2018 |title=Hollywood star Will Smith brings down curtain on Russia World Cup |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-final-closing-ceremon/hollywood-star-will-smith-brings-down-curtain-on-russia-world-cup-idUSKBN1K50PG |work=Reuters |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718002844/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-worldcup-final-closing-ceremon/hollywood-star-will-smith-brings-down-curtain-on-russia-world-cup-idUSKBN1K50PG |url-status=live}}

In 1997, Ronaldinho was part of the first Brazilian team to win the FIFA U-17 World Championship, which was held in Egypt, in which his first goal was a penalty against Austria in the first group match, which Brazil won 7–0.[https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/u17worldcup/egypt1997/match-center "FIFA U-17 World Championship Egypt 1997"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106211821/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u17worldcup/egypt1997/index.html |date=6 January 2016}}. FIFA. Retrieved 10 October 2015. Ronaldinho finished with two goals and was awarded the Bronze Ball award as Brazil scored a total of 21 goals while only conceding 2.

1999 was a busy year for Ronaldinho in terms of international play. First he appeared in the South American Youth Championship, where he scored three goals in nine appearances and helped the U20s to reach third place.[https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sa-u20-99.html "XIX Sudamericano Juvenil 1999 (Argentina)"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114203540/http://www.rsssf.com/tabless/sa-u20-99.html |date=14 January 2015}}. Rsssf.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015. Then he took part in the that year's FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria, scoring his first goal in Brazil's last group match.[https://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/nigeria1999/index.html "FIFA World Youth Championship Nigeria 1999"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109060752/http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/archive/nigeria1999/index.html |date=9 November 2017}}. FIFA. Retrieved 10 October 2015. In the round of 16, he scored two first-half goals in a 4–0 win over Croatia, and finished with three goals as Brazil were eliminated by Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

On 26 June, three days before the start of the 1999 Copa América, he earned his first cap for Brazil in a 3–0 win over Latvia, and he scored one goal during Brazil's victorious Copa América campaign. One week after the conclusion of the Copa América, he was called up for the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which he scored in every match except the final, including a hat-trick in an 8–2 semi-final rout of Saudi Arabia. In the final, Brazil lost 4–3 to Mexico. Ronaldinho won the Golden Ball award for the best player in tournament as well as the Golden Boot award for the tournament top-scorer.[https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/mexico1999/index.html "FIFA Confederations Cup Mexico 1999"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003114606/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/mexico1999/index.html |date=3 October 2017}}. FIFA. Retrieved 10 October 2015.

In 2000, Ronaldinho participated in the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, with the U23 national team. Earlier that year, Ronaldinho led Brazil to win the Pre-Olympic Tournament, scoring nine goals in seven matches. In the Olympics, however, Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Cameroon, who later won the gold medal.[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-24-ss-26141-story.html "Cameroon stuns Brazil in Overtime"] . Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 October 2015. Ronaldinho appeared four times and scored only one goal, which came in the quarter-final defeat by Cameroon.

{{Quote box|width=28%|On the eve of the final, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho warmed up in the Yokohama Stadium by merrily trying to out-wizard each other in the Japanese drizzle.

|source =— Amy Lawrence of The Guardian on the bond of the "three R's".{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Amy |title=Ronaldo's redemption: recalling the Brazil striker's World Cup fairytale 15 years on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/29/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-2002-japan |date=29 June 2017 |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=The Guardian |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831072035/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/29/ronaldo-brazil-world-cup-final-2002-japan |url-status=live}}

|align = right

}}

Ronaldinho participated in his first World Cup in 2002, as part of a formidable offensive unit with Ronaldo and Rivaldo, dubbed the "Three Rs", who were also on the 1999 Copa América winning squad.[https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/matches/world-cup/match=43950057/ "Classic World Cup Football Matches"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507033914/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/matches/world-cup/match=43950057/ |date=7 May 2015}}. FIFA. Retrieved 4 June 2014. The World Cup was held in South Korea and Japan, and Ronaldinho appeared in five matches during the tournament and scored two goals, as well as contributing with three assists.{{cite web |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/70c9b3c769d0e7a4/original/bw96axitsmtrojpaeugz-pdf.pdf |title=2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ - Report and Statistics |work=FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) |access-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143749/https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/korea-japan-2002-part-500841.pdf?cloudid=bw96axitsmtrojpaeugz |archive-date=12 June 2018 |pages=128–130}} His first goal came in the group stage match against China PR, which Brazil won 4–0.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/brazil_v_china/default.stm "Brazil smash China"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109143319/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/brazil_v_china/default.stm |date=9 November 2013}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 June 2014.

The most memorable match in Ronaldinho's World Cup career took place in the quarter-final against England on 21 June. With Brazil trailing after Michael Owen's 23-minute strike, Ronaldinho turned the game around. Having received the ball inside his own half, Ronaldinho ran at the England defence and wrong footed star defender Ashley Cole with a trademark step over before passing the ball to Rivaldo on the edge of the penalty area to score the equalising goal just before half-time.Jethro Soutar (2006). "Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro". p. 123. Robson, 2006. Then, in the 50th minute, Ronaldinho took a free-kick from 40 yards out which curled into the top left corner of the net, completely surprising England's goalkeeper David Seaman, giving Brazil a 2–1 lead.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2049000/2049924.stm "Brazil end England's dream"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212040235/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/england_v_brazil/newsid_2049000/2049924.stm |date=12 December 2017}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2014.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oq974EmpBo Ronaldinho's 40 yard free kick goal in quarter-final against England at 2002 FIFA World Cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621185734/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oq974EmpBo |date=21 June 2018}}. YouTube. Retrieved 13 July 2018. Seven minutes later, he was sent off for a foul on England defender Danny Mills. Ronaldinho was suspended for the semi-final, but returned to Brazil's starting lineup for the 2–0 victory over Germany in the final as Brazil won its record fifth World Cup title.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/germany_v_brazil/newsid_2067000/2067939.stm "Brazil crowned world champions"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414085237/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/matches_wallchart/germany_v_brazil/newsid_2067000/2067939.stm |date=14 April 2012}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2014.

Ronaldinho's next international tournament was the 2003 Confederations Cup, in which he went scoreless as Brazil were eliminated in the group stage. The following year, he was dropped from Brazil's 2004 Copa América squad, as coach Carlos Alberto Parreira decided to rest his stars and used a largely reserve squad.[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/07/26/bc.la.spt.soc.copaameri.ap/index.html Brazil victory harms Copa America credibility] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026142439/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/soccer/07/26/bc.la.spt.soc.copaameri.ap/index.html |date=26 October 2012}}. Sports Illustrated. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2009.

After falling short in 1999 and 2003, Ronaldinho was the captain of Brazil and led his team to its second ever Confederations Cup title in 2005. He converted a penalty kick in a 3–2 semi-final win against host Germany and was named Man of the Match in a 4–1 victory over archrival Argentina in the final on 29 June.{{cite web |url=http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050629/1/42mj.html |title=BRA–ARG (Match 16), Anheuser Busch Man of the Match: Ronaldinho (BRA) |publisher=FIFA |date=29 June 2005 |access-date=4 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060212054802/http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050629/1/42mj.html |archive-date=12 February 2006}} Ronaldinho scored three goals in the tournament and is tied with Mexican forward Cuauhtémoc Blanco as the tournament's all-time top goalscorer with nine goals.[https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompcc/51/98/16/fcc2013_eventedition_neutral.pdf "FIFA Confederations Cup 2013"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712112527/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompcc/51/98/16/fcc2013_eventedition_neutral.pdf |date=12 July 2014}}. FIFA. Retrieved 10 October 2015.

File:Ronaldinho corner brazil.jpg]]

For the 2006 World Cup finals, Ronaldinho was part of Brazil's much-publicized "magic quartet" of offensive players alongside Adriano, Ronaldo and Kaká, which was expected to provide the "Joga Bonito" style of play that was the focus of an extensive advertising campaign by Nike leading up to the tournament.{{cite news |last=Vickery |first=Tim |title=Kaka's spectacular run with Milan and Brazil overshadowed by his successors |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/brazil/205/blog/post/3316565/kakas-spectacular-run-with-milan-and-brazil-overshadowed-by-his-successors |agency=ESPN |date=18 December 2017 |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142032/http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/brazil/205/blog/post/3316565/kakas-spectacular-run-with-milan-and-brazil-overshadowed-by-his-successors |url-status=live}} However, deemed "top heavy and unbalanced", the team finished with ten goals in five games, with Ronaldinho himself going scoreless and finishing with only one assist (for Gilberto's goal in a 4–1 group stage victory over Japan), as he turned in his worst collective performance in his international career. Brazil endured a disappointing campaign that culminated in a 1–0 loss to France in the quarter-finals, during which the Seleção had only one shot on goal.{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/01/ronaldinho.brazil.ap/index.html |title=Ronaldinho no factor in Brazil defeat |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=1 July 2006 |access-date=7 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705053643/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/soccer/specials/world_cup/2006/07/01/ronaldinho.brazil.ap/index.html |archive-date=5 July 2006}}

{{Quote box|width=28%|How would Ronaldinho react? After Pelé's disappointment in the 1966 World Cup, he fought like a lion to get himself in good shape for 1970. Ronaldinho took a different path – one that led to the nightclub rather than the training ground.|Tim Vickery for ESPN, January 2018.{{cite news |last=Vickery |first=Tim |title=The brilliant Ronaldinho has retired, but his legacy is full of 'what if?' |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/brazil/205/blog/post/3350901/with-retirement-difficult-to-say-what-ronaldinho-legacy-in-brazil-will-be |access-date=23 July 2018 |agency=ESPN |date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724002323/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/brazil/205/blog/post/3350901/with-retirement-difficult-to-say-what-ronaldinho-legacy-in-brazil-will-be |url-status=live}}}}

The team was harshly criticized by Brazilian fans and media following their return home. On 3 July, two days after Brazil's elimination, vandals immolated and destroyed a 23-foot (7.5-metre) tall fiberglass and resin statue of Ronaldinho in Chapecó.{{cite news |url=http://copa.esporte.uol.com.br/copa/2006/ultnot/brasil/2006/07/03/ult3505u683.jhtm |title=Estátua de Ronaldinho é queimada em Santa Catarina |publisher=UOL Esporte |date=3 July 2006 |access-date=4 July 2006|archive-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202124029/http://copa.esporte.uol.com.br/copa/2006/ultnot/brasil/2006/07/03/ult3505u683.jhtm|url-status=live}} The statue had been erected in 2004 to celebrate his first FIFA World Player of the Year award. That same day, Ronaldinho, joined by Adriano, returned to the city of Barcelona and held a party at his home, which was continued into the early morning hours at a nightclub. This aggravated the hard feelings of many Brazilian fans, who believed that they were betrayed by the lack of effort from the squad.{{cite news |url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u105276.shtml |title=Decepção da Copa, Ronaldinho "festeja" com comida, dança e balada |publisher=Folha Online |date=4 July 2006 |access-date=4 July 2006|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116093439/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/esporte/ult92u105276.shtml|url-status=live}} Displaying a passivity to Brazil's poor showing, the 2006 World Cup is now seen as the turning point in Ronaldinho's career, with his time at the summit of the game almost up. 1970 Brazil World Cup winner Tostão wrote in O Tempo: "Ronaldinho lacks an important characteristic of Maradona and Pelé—aggression. They transformed themselves in adversity. They became possessed, and furious."{{cite news |last=Vickery |first=Tim |title=The Dying Dream of Ronaldinho: Brazil's Childlike Genius Who Never Grew Up |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2585178-the-dying-dream-of-ronaldinho-brazils-childlike-genius-who-never-grew-up |access-date=23 July 2018 |agency=Bleacher Report |date=12 November 2015 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724002253/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2585178-the-dying-dream-of-ronaldinho-brazils-childlike-genius-who-never-grew-up |url-status=live}}

File:Ronaldinho olympics-soccer-6 cropped.jpg in Beijing]]

On 24 March 2007, Ronaldinho scored twice in a 4–0 win over Chile, which marked his first goal since the 2005 Confederations Cup final and thus ended a scoreless streak that lasted nearly two years.{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/matches/brazil-v-chile-24-march-2007-277238/ |title=Brazil v Chile, 24 March 2007 |publisher=11v11.com |access-date=29 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202054131/http://www.11v11.com/matches/brazil-v-chile-24-march-2007-277238/|url-status=live}} He was not called up for the 2007 Copa América after asking to be excused from the tournament due to fatigue.[http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_WORLDFOOTBALL/idUKL1532879920070515 Tired Ronaldinho asks to skip Copa America] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407042744/http://uk.reuters.com/article/UK_WORLDFOOTBALL/idUKL1532879920070515 |date=7 April 2020}}. Reuters. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2009. On 18 October, he was controversially benched by Barcelona after he was late returning to Spain following Brazil's 5–0 friendly win over Ecuador. He and several Brazil players celebrated the win by partying through the night at a posh Rio de Janeiro nightclub. Ronaldinho left at 11 am the next morning, allegedly in the trunk of a car in order to avoid the media.{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/10/21/sports/19234220&sec=sports |title=Ronaldinho and Robinho dropped by their Primera Liga teams |work=The Star (Malaysia) |access-date=21 December 2007|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030175637/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/10/21/sports/19234220&sec=sports |archive-date=30 October 2007}}

On 7 July 2008, Ronaldinho was named in Brazil's 2008 Summer Olympics squad as one of the overage players.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/newsid=823355.html#brazil+stars+heading+beijing |title=Brazil stars heading for Beijing |publisher=FIFA |date=7 July 2008 |access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=22 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722064028/http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/newsid=823355.html#brazil+stars+heading+beijing|url-status=dead}} Barcelona initially blocked the move because of his then-upcoming Champions League commitments with the club, but the decision was later nullified following Ronaldinho's transfer to Milan, who in turn permitted him to make the trip to Beijing, China.{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL1781481520080717p |title=Milan's Ronaldinho excited to play with Kaka |work=Reuters |first=Mark |last=Meadows |date=17 July 2008 |access-date=23 December 2010|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403105025/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL1781481520080717p|url-status=dead}} Ronaldinho captained the team, and he scored his only two goals in a 5–0 victory over New Zealand before Brazil were beaten by Argentina in the semi-final. Brazil finished with the bronze medal after defeating Belgium 3–0 in the third-place match.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/football/7577449.stm "Ronaldinho leads Brazil to bronze"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601195100/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/football/7577449.stm |date=1 June 2009}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 May 2014.

Despite having returned to good form and being named as a member of the 30-man provisional squad that was submitted to FIFA on 11 May 2010,{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/20/86/87/provisional1305.pdf |title=Release list of up to 30 players |publisher=FIFA |date=13 May 2010 |access-date=16 May 2010|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210525/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/20/86/87/provisional1305.pdf|url-status=dead}} he was not named in coach Dunga's final squad of 23 for the Brazilian squad in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup despite his deep desire to participate in the competition.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/12/12/1682146/world-cup-2010-i-am-a-better-player-at-milan-that-what-i-was |title=World Cup 2010: I Am A Better Player At Milan That What I Was At Barcelona – Ronaldinho |work=Goal.com |date=12 December 2009 |access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215221306/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2009/12/12/1682146/world-cup-2010-i-am-a-better-player-at-milan-that-what-i-was|url-status=live}} Critics claimed that the exclusion of players such as Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato, Adriano and Ronaldo signaled a move away from the classic Brazilian attacking "Joga Bonito" style of play.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?type=story&id=5070935 |title=Best bets to disappoint |publisher=ESPN |date=10 April 2010 |access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=28 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928145805/http://espn.go.com/espn/print?type=story&id=5070935|url-status=live}} At the tournament, Brazil was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-final.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_57/default.stm "Netherlands 2–1 Brazil"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723073650/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_57/default.stm |date=23 July 2017}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 March 2015.

In September 2011, Ronaldinho made his return to the national team under coach Mano Menezes in a friendly against Ghana at Fulham's Craven Cottage,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14798121 |title=Brazil 1–0 Ghana |newspaper=BBC Sport |date=5 September 2011 |access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194007/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14798121|url-status=live}} playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 win for Brazil. He then had solid performances in back to back friendlies against Argentina in the same month. In October, he performed well against Mexico in a friendly, scoring a free kick to equalize after Dani Alves was sent off. Brazil went on to win the match with a goal from Marcelo.{{cite news |title=Mexico 1 – 2 Brazil |url=http://www.eurosport.com/football/international-friendlies/2011/live-mexico-brazil_mtc467992/live.shtml |publisher=Eurosport |date=3 December 2016|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220091148/http://www.eurosport.com/football/international-friendlies/2011/live-mexico-brazil_mtc467992/live.shtml|url-status=live}}

Ronaldinho's good form continued in 2013, and in January he was unexpectedly called up by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/brazil/9850268/England-v-Brazil-Ronaldinho-surprised-by-recall-to-Selecao-after-year-in-the-international-wilderness.html "England v Brazil: Ronaldinho surprised by recall to Seleçao after year in the international wilderness"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201222822/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/brazil/9850268/England-v-Brazil-Ronaldinho-surprised-by-recall-to-Selecao-after-year-in-the-international-wilderness.html |date=1 December 2018}}. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 June 2014. for a friendly against England played on 6 February at Wembley Stadium as part of The Football Association (FA)'s 150th anniversary.[https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ronaldinho-reckons-brazil-will-ruin-englands-1570615 "Ronaldinho reckons Brazil will ruin England's 150th anniversary celebrations"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201181049/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ronaldinho-reckons-brazil-will-ruin-englands-1570615 |date=1 December 2018}}. Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 June 2014. Ronaldinho started in what was his 100th cap (including non-official matches), and had a chance to score from the penalty kick, but his shot was saved by Joe Hart. Brazil lost the match 1–2.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21317048 "England 2–1 Brazil"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106211822/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/21317048 |date=6 January 2016}}. BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2014. He was again called up for the Seleção, being named captain of the national team for an international friendly with Chile on 24 April 2013.{{cite web |first1=Leandro |last1=Canônico |first2=Márcio |last2=Iannacca |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/selecao-brasileira/noticia/2013/04/felipao-confirma-ronaldinho-como-capitao-jean-e-cavalieri-escalados.html |title=Felipão confirma Ronaldinho como capitão; Jean e Cavalieri escalados |work=Globo Esporte |date=23 April 2013 |access-date=24 January 2014|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703203001/http://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/selecao-brasileira/noticia/2013/04/felipao-confirma-ronaldinho-como-capitao-jean-e-cavalieri-escalados.html|url-status=live}} However, Ronaldinho was not selected for the national team for the 2013 Confederations Cup and he was also omitted from Scolari's 2014 World Cup finals squad.[http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/eye-on-world-cup/24553498/brazil-names-23-man-world-cup-roster-ronaldinho-kaka-left-out "Brazil names 23-man World Cup roster; Ronaldinho, Kaka left out"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506180811/http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/eye-on-world-cup/24553498/brazil-names-23-man-world-cup-roster-ronaldinho-kaka-left-out |date=6 May 2015}}. CBS Sports. Retrieved 24 May 2014.

File:Ronaldinho-fcb-2005-2006-home-shirt.jpg

Ronaldinho is regarded as one of the greatest and most skilful players of all time.{{cite web |title=Will Ronaldinho return to his best? |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=828239.html |website=FIFA |date=19 July 2008 |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721145756/https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=828239.html |archive-date=21 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Doyle |first=Mark |title=Messi or Ronaldo? Human highlight reel Ronaldinho was more talented than both |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-or-ronaldo-human-highlight-reel-ronaldinho-was-more/ptont3z6sz4h1j3z1ya9egkqq |website=Goal |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120074724/https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-or-ronaldo-human-highlight-reel-ronaldinho-was-more/ptont3z6sz4h1j3z1ya9egkqq |archive-date=20 January 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Sean |title=Why Ronaldinho – football's great libertine – should be considered the best player ever over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo |url=https://talksport.com/football/685649/ronaldinho-best-player-of-all-time-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo/ |website=Talksport |date=24 March 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409100910/https://talksport.com/football/685649/ronaldinho-best-player-of-all-time-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo/ |archive-date=9 April 2020 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Nic |first=Johnny |title=Ronaldinho: One of the greatest entertainers of all time |url=https://www.football365.com/news/everybody-loves-ronaldinho-barcelona-brazil |website=Football365 |date=17 July 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911012315/https://www.football365.com/news/everybody-loves-ronaldinho-barcelona-brazil |archive-date=11 September 2020 |url-status=live}} Due to his ability to score and create goals, he was capable of playing in several attacking positions.{{cite web |url=http://www.milannews.it/rassegna-stampa/ronaldinho-12-gol-12-assist-18500 |title=Ronaldinho: 12 gol, 12 assist |work=MilanNews |language=it |access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201191602/https://www.milannews.it/rassegna-stampa/ronaldinho-12-gol-12-assist-18500|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://arxiu.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_06-07/plantilla/jugadors/ronaldinho.html |title=Ronaldo de Assis Moreira |publisher=FC Barcelona |access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061835/http://arxiu.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/futbol/temporada_06-07/plantilla/jugadors/ronaldinho.html|url-status=live}} Throughout his career, he was often deployed as a winger, although he usually played as a classic number 10 in an attacking midfielder role.{{cite web |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2008/aprile/13/Ronaldinho_sei_trecante_Praticamente_nove_ga_10_080413052.shtml |title=Ronaldinho, sei un "trecante" Praticamente un nove e mezzo |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=13 April 2008 |access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152200/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2008/aprile/13/Ronaldinho_sei_trecante_Praticamente_nove_ga_10_080413052.shtml|url-status=live}} While he is naturally right-footed, during his time at Barcelona, Ronaldinho was also used as an inverted winger on the left flank at times by manager Frank Rijkaard, while the left-footed Messi was deployed on the right; this position allowed him to cut inside and shoot on goal with his stronger foot.{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ronaldinho-deserves-fifa-player-of-the-year/articleshow/971199.cms |title=Ronaldinho deserves FIFA player of the year |publisher=The Economic Times |last=Saxena |first=Siddharth |date=26 December 2004 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028114008/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ronaldinho-deserves-fifa-player-of-the-year/articleshow/971199.cms |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/17/championsleague1 |title=Ronaldinho the boy genius grows into a full-scale marvel |work=The Guardian |last=Williams |first=Richard |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806225246/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/may/17/championsleague1 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/sports/soccer/14soccer.html |title=Bruised Feelings and a Shaky Knee for F.C. Barcelona |work=The New York Times |date=14 March 2007 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807162433/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/14/sports/soccer/14soccer.html |url-status=live}} He was also capable of playing as a second striker.{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/ronaldinho-contratto-sono-tranquillo-voglio-tornare-a-giocare-888382 |title=Ronaldinho: 'Contract? I'm relaxed. I want to play again' |publisher=Calciomercato |date=18 November 2010 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806202332/https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/ronaldinho-contratto-sono-tranquillo-voglio-tornare-a-giocare-888382 |url-status=live}}

Despite primarily being a creative player, who was renowned for his passing, vision, and playmaking, Ronaldinho was an accurate finisher with either foot, both from inside and outside the penalty area, as well as being a free-kick and penalty kick specialist.{{cite web |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2007/novembre/05/Henry_Ronaldinho_braccano_Real_ga_10_071105037.shtml |title=Henry e Ronaldinho braccano il Real |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403081458/http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2007/novembre/05/Henry_Ronaldinho_braccano_Real_ga_10_071105037.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/soccer/id/1950122 |title=NEWSMAKER-Ronaldinho, the catalyst of Barcelona's revival |publisher=ESPN FC |last=Baskett |first=Simon |date=20 December 2004 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028114139/http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/soccer/id/1950122 |url-status=live}} Although he was primarily known for his ability to bend the ball from set pieces,{{cite web |url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/752318/video-samba-skills-from-ronaldinho-with-the-barca-legends# |title=VIDEO: Samba skills from Ronaldinho with the Barça Legends |publisher=FC Barcelona |date=1 July 2017 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806184530/https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/752318/video-samba-skills-from-ronaldinho-with-the-barca-legends |url-status=live}} he was also capable of striking the ball with power underneath the wall, and also occasionally used the knuckleball technique, which was popularised by his compatriot Juninho Pernambucano.{{cite web |url=https://as.com/diarioas/2013/09/14/english/1379173980_744863.html |title=Set-piece dilemma: CR7 Tomahawk vs Bale Knuckleball |publisher=as.com |first=Pedro P. |last=San Martín |date=14 September 2013 |access-date=13 December 2018 |archive-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201142301/https://as.com/diarioas/2013/09/14/english/1379173980_744863.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/93/post/1839796/headline |title=Why is scoring from free kicks on the rise? |publisher=ESPN FC |last=Cox |first=Michael |date=5 December 2013 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806193700/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/blog/name/93/post/1839796/headline |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time#slide8 |title=Ranking the 16 Greatest Free-Kick Takers of All Time |publisher=Bleacher Report |last=Richards |first=Alex |date=12 December 2013 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806214301/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1886357-ranking-the-16-greatest-free-kick-takers-of-all-time#slide8 |url-status=live}} He is widely regarded as one of the most prolific free kick takers in history,{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/09/20/5ba2969c268e3e35188b45ad.html |title=Messi and the other best freekick takers in football history |publisher=Marca |last1=Lara |first1=Lorenzo |last2=Mogollo |first2=Álvaro |last3=Wilson |first3=Emily |date=20 September 2018 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610214908/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/09/20/5ba2969c268e3e35188b45ad.html |url-status=live}} and also influenced his former teammate Messi, who went on to become a free kick specialist himself.{{cite news |last=Sanderson |first=Tom |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2019/11/10/dead-ball-genius-how-messi-learned-from-maradona-ronaldinho-and-deco-to-become-the-games-greatest-free-kick-taker/#67633c24679b |title=Dead Ball Genius: How Messi Learned From Maradona, Ronaldinho And Deco To Become The Game's Greatest Free-Kick Taker |magazine=Forbes |date=10 November 2019 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=30 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730004051/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2019/11/10/dead-ball-genius-how-messi-learned-from-maradona-ronaldinho-and-deco-to-become-the-games-greatest-free-kick-taker/#67633c24679b |url-status=live}}

Throughout his career, Ronaldinho was praised by pundits in particular for his technical skills, flair, and creativity, as well as his exceptional first touch. With his pace, acceleration, athleticism, ball control, and dribbling ability, he was capable of beating players during individual runs, often using an array of tricks and feints to get past opponents in one on one situations, including step overs and nutmegs. Physically strong in possession of the ball, Richard Williams writes, "Slender in build, the Brazilian has a strength belying the cartoonish smile." He also incorporated flashy moves such as back-heels, bicycle kicks, and no-look passes into his playstyle.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/nov/11/joy-of-six-first-touches-bergkamp |title=The Joy of Six: football first touches |work=The Guardian |last=Smyth |first=Rob |date=11 November 2011 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729203245/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/nov/11/joy-of-six-first-touches-bergkamp |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/mar/09/championsleague.chelsea |title=Chelsea discover why Ronaldinho is Barcelona's pearl beyond price |work=The Guardian |first=Richard |last=Williams |date=9 March 2006 |access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403203458/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/mar/09/championsleague.chelsea|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/ronaldinho-16636081#early-life |title=Ronaldinho |access-date=15 January 2015|archive-date=28 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128020900/http://www.biography.com/people/ronaldinho-16636081#early-life|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-cult-ronaldinho/ |title=The Cult: Ronaldinho |publisher=Vice |last=Cole |first=Sean |date=17 January 2017 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=28 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428230652/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/3d3zn5/the-cult-ronaldinho |url-status=live}} Among his repertoire of moves is the "elastico", a move he learned by watching videos of one of his idols, the 1970s Brazilian star Rivelino."Football's Greatest – Rivelino". Pitch International LLP. 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2014.David Goldblatt (2009). "The Football Book". p. 129. D Kindersley Ltd, Ronaldinho came to be known as one of the best exponents of the feint, and in parts of Africa—especially Nigeria—this move is now called 'The Gaúcho', due to him popularising the use of this particular skill.

File:Ronaldinho Real Madrid-Milan.jpg

ESPN described Ronaldinho as being "skillful by nature, his tricks are unparalleled and he is wonderful with the ball at his feet. One of the coolest players in pressure situations" and a "fast, brash, skilful, tricky, an uninhibited playmaker" who provides "a mix of goals, assists, skills and a large repertoire of crafty moves".{{cite web |url=http://m.espn.com/soccer/profile?id=20128&type=bio&lang=EN&wjb |title=Ronaldinho |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=14 November 2013|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202064908/http://m.espn.com/soccer/profile?id=20128&type=bio&lang=EN&wjb|url-status=live}} Zlatan Ibrahimović stated, "Prime Ronaldinho was phenomenal. He made his opponents look like children."{{cite news |url=https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/ibrahimovic-ronaldo-was-better-than-ronaldinho-and-cristiano-2862140 |title=Ibrahimovic: Ronaldo was better than Ronaldinho and Cristiano |access-date=28 January 2020 |agency=FIFA.com |archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128010420/https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/ibrahimovic-ronaldo-was-better-than-ronaldinho-and-cristiano-2862140|url-status=dead}} Former Portugal midfield playmaker Rui Costa has said of his vision and passing ability: "There are not many players who can offer goal-scoring passes like he can. He is just marvellous. He is a rare case of an assist man who can provide the ball from anywhere." In 2010, his former Barcelona teammate, Edgar Davids, said of him: "For the skills and tricks, Ronaldinho was the best player that I ever played with."{{cite web |last=Flanagan |first=Chris |title=Ronaldinho – How the godfather of flair changed football forever |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/long-read-ronaldinho-how-godfather-flair-changed-football-forever |website=FourFourTwo |date=6 April 2017|access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905172005/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/long-read-ronaldinho-how-godfather-flair-changed-football-forever |archive-date=5 September 2021 |url-status=live}} Another one of his former Barcelona teammate, Henrik Larsson, echoed this view. His compatriot Willian rated him as the greatest player of all time in 2019,{{cite web |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/13/5dcc5bd846163f316c8b4620.html |title=Willian: Messi is very good, but Ronaldinho was the best of them all |publisher=Marca |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806185017/https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2019/11/13/5dcc5bd846163f316c8b4620.html |url-status=live}} while Juninho described him as the most skilful player he had ever seen. In 2019, FourFourTwo described him as "possibly the best technician in the history of football in Brazil", placing him at number five in their list of "The 101 greatest football players of the last 25 years".{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list?page=0%2C4 |title=Ranked! The 101 greatest football players of the last 25 years: full list |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=26 July 2019 |access-date=6 April 2020 |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406175712/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/101-greatest-football-players-last-25-years-full-list%3Fpage%3D0,4 |url-status=live}} In 2006, Richard Williams of The Guardian described Ronaldinho as a "genius", while his former Barcelona teammate Sylvinho said of him: "He's so smart, so intelligent, that sometimes it's difficult to read his mind", also adding: "He's amazing. He's 100% talent. And he's a powerful player as well, so it's difficult to stop him."

{{blockquote|The Brazilian legend Tostão claimed: "Ronaldinho has the dribbling skills of Rivelino, the vision of Gérson, the spirit and happiness of Garrincha, the pace, skill and power of Jairzinho and Ronaldo, the technical ability of Zico and the creativity of Romário." Above all he had one, very special ability: he made you smile.|Sid Lowe after Ronaldinho's retirement in January 2018.{{cite web |last=Lowe |first=Sid |author-link=Sid Lowe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/jan/17/ronaldinho-player-made-you-smile-barcelona |title=Ronaldinho: a player so good he made you smile |website=The Guardian |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118014641/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/jan/17/ronaldinho-player-made-you-smile-barcelona |archive-date=18 January 2018 |url-status=live}}}}

In spite of his performances at his peak, a period of dedication and focus which saw him named the FIFA World Player of the Year twice and receive the Ballon d'Or, Ronaldinho was also criticised on occasion in the media for his lack of discipline in training, as well as his hedonistic lifestyle off the pitch, which impacted the overall longevity of his career.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/17/utterly-beguiling-genius-ronaldinho/ |title=The utterly beguiling genius of Ronaldinho |work=The Telegraph |first=JJ |last=Bull |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=23 July 2018 |archive-date=24 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724010821/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/01/17/utterly-beguiling-genius-ronaldinho/ |url-status=live}} Referring to Ronaldinho as "Brazil's childlike genius who never grew up", Tim Vickery writes that it was the sudden death of his father at such a young age that may have seen Ronaldinho shy away from remaining at the top, with the attitude of "life is short and can end unexpectedly—so enjoy it while you can".

File:Ronaldinho 11feb2007.jpg ambassador since February 2006.]]

Ronaldinho has had endorsements with many companies, including Nike, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, EA Sports and Danone.[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/sports/soccer/26ronaldinho.html?fta=y&_r=0 "Ronaldinho Becoming the Face of Soccer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118191446/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/sports/soccer/26ronaldinho.html?fta=y&_r=0 |date=18 November 2018}}. The New York Times. Retrieved 26 May 2014. One of the world's highest paid players, in 2006 he earned over $19 million from endorsements.Jethro Soutar (2006). "Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro". p. 169. Robson, Having endorsed Pepsi for much of his career and appeared in commercials with David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho signed a deal with Coca-Cola in 2011, however this was terminated in July 2012 after he was caught drinking Pepsi in a news conference.[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/07/ronaldinho-has-pepsi-loses-coca-cola-deal/1#.U4OTZWt5mSM "Ronaldinho sips Pepsi, loses Coca-Cola deal"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118233012/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/07/ronaldinho-has-pepsi-loses-coca-cola-deal/1#.U4OTZWt5mSM |date=18 November 2018}}. USA Today. Retrieved 26 May 2014.

Ronaldinho has featured in EA Sports' FIFA video game series, appearing on the cover of FIFA Football 2004, FIFA Street, FIFA 06, FIFA 07, FIFA Street 3, FIFA 08 and FIFA 09. At the beginning of his career Ronaldinho signed a lucrative 10-year deal with sportswear company Nike (wearing Nike Tiempo R10 boots designed for him). He has appeared in Nike commercials, including the 2002 "Secret Tournament" commercial (branded "Scorpion KO") directed by Terry Gilliam.{{cite web |url=http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |title=A lighter shoe, cooler kits, a faster ball, a Secret Tournament – every touch counts |publisher=NikeBiz |access-date=21 July 2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602055510/http://www.nikebiz.com/story/stry_scorpion.shtml |archive-date=2 June 2002}} His 2005 Nike advertisement, where he is given a new pair of boots and then proceeds to juggle a football and appears to repeatedly volley it against the crossbar of a goal and recover it without the ball touching the ground, went viral on YouTube, becoming the site's first video to reach one million views.{{YouTube|Tlmho7SY-ic|YouTube Five Year Anniversary}}, compilation of videos on the site. Retrieved 13 June 2010.{{cite news|title=When Ronaldinho broke the internet|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/when-ronaldinho-broke-the-internet/9eyafhmhwgtk1rgbw8l03agbx|access-date=24 November 2021|work=Goal|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124210044/https://www.goal.com/en/news/when-ronaldinho-broke-the-internet/9eyafhmhwgtk1rgbw8l03agbx|url-status=live}} A 2010 Nike commercial, Write the Future directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, features Ronaldinho executing a number of stepovers, which became a viral video re-enacted and shared millions of times.{{cite web |url=http://www.psfk.com/2010/05/nike-writes-the-future-just-in-time-for-the-world-cup.html |title=Nike "Writes the Future" – Just In Time For The World Cup |publisher=PSFK |last=Vazquez |first=Paloma M. |date=21 May 2010 |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404235055/http://www.psfk.com/2010/05/nike-writes-the-future-just-in-time-for-the-world-cup.html |url-status=dead}}

A wax sculpture of Ronaldinho was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong in December 2007.{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho wax figure arrives Hong Kong (Chinese) |date=21 December 2008 |url=http://www.madame-tussauds.com.hk/eng/img/img_clip_20071221_1.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720190459/http://www.madame-tussauds.com.hk/eng/img/img_clip_20071221_1.jpg |archive-date=20 July 2008}} Ronaldinho has had an official role with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, since February 2006.Jethro Soutar (2006). "Ronaldinho: Football's Flamboyant Maestro". p. 172. In 2011, he was recruited by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to promote awareness among young people of the disease and how to avoid it.{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40121 |title=Soccer great Ronaldinho aims to score goals in UN campaign against AIDS |publisher=UN News Centre |date=20 October 2011 |access-date=28 May 2014 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019181602/http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40121 |url-status=live}} In March 2015, Ronaldinho was the sixth most popular sportsperson on Facebook, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Beckham, Neymar and Kaká, with 31 million Facebook fans.{{cite news |title=Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Shakira as Facebook's most 'liked' person |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cristiano-ronaldo-overtakes-shakira-as-facebook-s-most--liked-person-085815659-soccer.html?pt=1/ |publisher=Yahoo! |date=10 February 2017|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075400/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cristiano-ronaldo-overtakes-shakira-as-facebook-s-most--liked-person-085815659-soccer.html?pt=1/|url-status=live}} Ronaldinho also has over 50 million Instagram followers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.trackalytics.com/the-most-followed-instagram-profiles/page/1/ |title=The Most Followed Instagram Profiles |website=Trackalytics.com |access-date=20 July 2019|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201130332/https://www.trackalytics.com/the-most-followed-instagram-profiles/page/1/|url-status=live}}

On 2 February 2017, Barcelona announced that Ronaldinho signed a 10-year deal to become an ambassador for the club at institutional events.{{cite web |last=Sunderland |first=Tom |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690940-ronaldinho-named-barcelona-ambassador-latest-details-comments-and-reaction |title=Ronaldinho Named Barcelona Ambassador: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction |website=Bleacher Report |date=3 February 2017 |access-date=3 November 2020 |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206045715/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690940-ronaldinho-named-barcelona-ambassador-latest-details-comments-and-reaction | url-status=live}} On 6 July 2018, Ronaldinho announced a partnership with company World Soccer Coin (WSC) to develop a new cryptocurrency, the Ronaldinho Soccer Coin, with WSC claiming that the profits of the coin will be used to football projects such as "Ronaldinho Digital Stadiums".{{Cite web |date=13 July 2018 |title=Everything you need to know about Ronaldinho's cryptocurrency |url=https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ronaldinhos-cryptocurrency/|access-date=24 July 2020 |website=Planet Football |language=en-US|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724054423/https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/everything-you-need-to-know-about-ronaldinhos-cryptocurrency/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Ronaldinho SOCCER COIN PROJECT |url=https://www.soccercoin.eu/|access-date=24 July 2020 |website=www.soccercoin.eu|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806215602/https://www.soccercoin.eu/|url-status=live}}

On 29 October 2020, Ronaldinho released a statement regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan. He expressed solidarity with Azerbaijani people.{{cite web |last=Asikci |first=Emre |title=Football: Ronaldinho expresses support for Azerbaijan |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/football-ronaldinho-expresses-support-for-azerbaijan/2023768 |website=Anadolu Agency |date=29 October 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031213751/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/football-ronaldinho-expresses-support-for-azerbaijan/2023768 |url-status=live}} In late July 2021, he went to Beirut, Lebanon, to lay a wreath in honor of victims of the port explosion.{{cite web |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lebanon-ronaldinho-beirut-explosion-anniversary-controversy-football |title=Lebanon: Footballer Ronaldinho causes stir on Beirut trip |website=Middle East Eye |date=30 July 2021 |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-date=31 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731090256/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/lebanon-ronaldinho-beirut-explosion-anniversary-controversy-football |url-status=live}}

In fiction, Ronaldinho features as a character in Rupert Thomson's 2021 novel Barcelona Dreaming.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jun/10/barcelona-dreaming-by-rupert-thomson-review-heartbreak-and-hope-in-the-city? |title=Barcelona Dreaming by Rupert Thomson review – heartbreak and hope in the city |date=10 June 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=1 July 2022 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630232737/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jun/10/barcelona-dreaming-by-rupert-thomson-review-heartbreak-and-hope-in-the-city |url-status=live}}

In 2018, he appeared in the American martial arts film Kickboxer: Retaliation, alongside Alain Moussi and Jean-Claude Van Damme.{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kickboxer_retaliation#cast-and-crew | title=Kickboxer: Retaliation | Rotten Tomatoes |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}

Ronaldinho Gaúcho is a Brazilian celebrity comic strip by Mauricio de Sousa, syndicated by Atlantic Syndication.{{cite web |title=What say you now, Ronaldinho? |url=https://gocomics.typepad.com/editors/2009/02/what-say-you-now-ronaldinho.html |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=From the editors @ Universal Press Syndicate |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721203101/https://gocomics.typepad.com/editors/2009/02/what-say-you-now-ronaldinho.html |url-status=live}} It features a fictionalised version of the Ronaldinho as a child. The strip was created in 2006, when the 2006 FIFA World Cup was taking place in Germany. It ran until 2015.{{cite web |date=1 September 2010 |title=Universal Uclick |url=http://universaluclick.com/comics/strip/ronaldinhogaucho |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901073125/http://universaluclick.com/comics/strip/ronaldinhogaucho |archive-date=1 September 2010}}

It was adapted into an animated television series as Ronaldinho Gaúcho's Team, produced by Italian studio GIG Italy Entertainment, with the coproduction of MSP (Mauricio de Sousa Produções).

In 2014, because of the FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, Ronaldinho Gaúcho's short animated series was acquired by the paid children's channel Gloob,{{cite web |date=7 April 2014 |title=Canal infantil Gloob compra animação de Maurício de Sousa inspirada em Ronaldinho Gaúcho |url=https://f5.folha.uol.com.br/televisao/2014/04/1436718-canal-infantil-gloob-compra-animacao-de-mauricio-de-souza-inspirada-em-ronaldinho-gaucho.shtml |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=F5 |language=pt-BR |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520033941/https://f5.folha.uol.com.br/televisao/2014/04/1436718-canal-infantil-gloob-compra-animacao-de-mauricio-de-souza-inspirada-em-ronaldinho-gaucho.shtml |url-status=live}} at the same time, the Discovery Kids channel aired the series "Pelezinho in: Planet Soccer".{{cite web |last=marcus.ramone.7 |date=5 June 2014 |title=Pelezinho estrela série de desenhos animados no Discovery Kids |url=https://universohq.com/noticias/pelezinho-estrela-desenhos-animados-discovery-kids/ |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=UNIVERSO HQ |language=pt-br |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520033937/https://universohq.com/noticias/pelezinho-estrela-desenhos-animados-discovery-kids/ |url-status=live}} The series "Pelezinho in: Planet Soccer" was also launched, usually passing during Discovery Kids commercials, and Neymar Jr. by Nickelodeon.{{cite web |last=samir.naliato.7 |date=2 July 2014 |title=Neymar Jr., dos quadrinhos de Mauricio de Sousa, vira animação |url=https://universohq.com/noticias/neymar-jr-dos-quadrinhos-de-mauricio-de-sousa-vira-animacao/ |access-date=20 May 2023 |website=UNIVERSO HQ |language=pt-br |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520033940/https://universohq.com/noticias/neymar-jr-dos-quadrinhos-de-mauricio-de-sousa-vira-animacao/ |url-status=live}}

In July 2019, 57 properties belonging to Ronaldinho along with his Brazilian and Spanish passports were confiscated because of unpaid taxes and fines.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49150695 |title=Ronaldinho: Ex-Brazil and Barcelona star has property seized over unpaid fines |date=30 July 2019 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=6 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309112249/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49150695 |archive-date=9 March 2020|url-status=live}} The judge ultimately decided to reduce the fine from R$8.5 million to R$6 million for building a fishing platform on Guaíba River in a 'heritage-protected' area.{{Cite web |date=13 September 2019|editor-last=Liu |title=Brazilian judge lifts Ronaldinho travel ban |website=XINHUANET.com |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/13/c_138388322.htm|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726143100/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/13/c_138388322.htm|archive-date=26 July 2020|access-date=26 July 2020}} Ronaldinho and his brother would ultimately fail to pay the fines within the allotted time and have their passports suspended.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2020 |title=Ronaldinho, Brother Not To Face Prosecution For Fake Passports |website=NDTVSports.com |publisher=Agence France-Presse |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/ronaldinho-brother-not-to-face-prosecution-for-fake-passports-2190977|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806235227/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/ronaldinho-brother-not-to-face-prosecution-for-fake-passports-2190977|archive-date=6 August 2020|access-date=26 July 2020}}

In March 2020, he was questioned by police in Paraguay after he was alleged to have used a fake passport to enter the country while coming for a charity event and book promotion,{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51750802 |title=Ronaldinho held over fake passport claims |date=5 March 2020 |work=BBC News|access-date=6 March 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=5 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305233259/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-51750802}} with Ronaldinho and his brother both being held in custody in the country.{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/9/jailed-ronaldinho-facing-multiple-issues-off-the-p/ |title=Jailed Ronaldinho facing multiple issues off the pitch |author=Mauricio Savarese (AP) |date=9 March 2020 |work=The Washington Times |access-date=9 March 2020 |archive-date=10 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200310074437/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/mar/9/jailed-ronaldinho-facing-multiple-issues-off-the-p/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=12 July 2020|editor-last=huaxia |title=Ronaldinho loses appeal for release from house arrest |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/12/c_139206372.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723204912/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-07/12/c_139206372.htm |archive-date=23 July 2020|access-date=23 July 2020 |website=www.xinhuanet.com}} A lawyer representing Ronaldinho and his brother could not explain why they used fake passports to enter the country; as Brazilian nationals do not require a passport to countries that are members of the Mercosur trade bloc. While in prison he competed in a prison futsal tournament, where his team was victorious. They won 11–2 in the finals, with Ronaldinho scoring 5 goals and assisting the other 6.{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho's Prison Team Win Futsal Tournament And Suckling Pig |author=Tom Sanderson |date=14 March 2020 |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2020/03/14/ronaldinhos-prison-team-win-futsal-tournament-and-suckling-pig/#4ed22e642bf2 |access-date=14 March 2020 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314103125/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2020/03/14/ronaldinhos-prison-team-win-futsal-tournament-and-suckling-pig/#4ed22e642bf2}} He attempted to appeal the detention order but was ordered to remain under house arrest with his brother. On 24 August 2020, Ronaldinho and his brother were released from Paraguayan prison after their judge agreed to a plea deal with fines of US$90,000 and US$110,000 for the brothers, respectively.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2020 |title=Ronaldinho set for release after bizarre six-month stay in Paraguay penal system |url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/24/ronaldinho-paraguay-jail-passport|access-date=24 August 2020 |website=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824201916/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/24/ronaldinho-paraguay-jail-passport}}{{Cite web |date=26 August 2020 |title=Paraguayan judge releases Ronaldinho after five months |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2020/08/26/2003742303 |access-date=3 September 2020 |work=Taipei Times |archive-date=1 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901040437/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2020/08/26/2003742303|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=25 August 2020 |title=Ronaldinho wari ufungishijwe ijisho muri Paraguay yarekuwe |language=rw |work=BBC News Gahuza |url=https://www.bbc.com/gahuza/amakuru-53902637|url-status=live|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=26 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826042712/https://www.bbc.com/gahuza/amakuru-53902637}}

Growing up, Ronaldinho's idols included the World Cup–winning stars Rivelino (from 1970); Diego Maradona (from 1986); Romário (from 1994); and his two future international teammates Ronaldo and Rivaldo (who would, together with him, form the attacking trio in Brazil's 2002 World Cup–winning team).{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho: I was about to join Manchester United; how I lobbed David Seaman; I was good for Messi |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldinho-i-was-about-join-manchester-united-how-i-lobbed-david-seaman-i-was-good-messi#mz9WGlLLTdARhKe6.99 |work=FourFourTwo |date=16 September 2016|access-date=16 September 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919113044/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ronaldinho-i-was-about-join-manchester-united-how-i-lobbed-david-seaman-i-was-good-messi#mz9WGlLLTdARhKe6.99|url-status=live}} Ronaldinho is the father of a son, João, born on 25 February 2005, to Brazilian dancer Janaína Mendes and named after his late father.{{cite web |url=http://esporte.uol.com.br/ultimas/efe/2005/08/24/ult1777u33157.jhtm |title=Ronaldinho Gaúcho fala sobre seu filho pela primeira vez |publisher=UOL Esporte |date=24 August 2005 |access-date=20 May 2006|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116093346/https://esporte.uol.com.br/ultimas/efe/2005/08/24/ult1777u33157.jhtm|url-status=live}} He gained Spanish citizenship in 2007.[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/sports/soccer/26ronaldinho.html?ref=sports Ronaldinho Becoming the Face of Soccer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114021330/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/26/sports/soccer/26ronaldinho.html?ref=sports |date=14 January 2018 }}, Jack Bell, The New York Times. 26 March 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2007. In March 2018, Ronaldinho joined the Brazilian Republican Party, which has links to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.[https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/21/soccer-great-ronaldinho-joins-conservative-brazilian-party "Brazil World Cup winner Ronaldinho joins evangelical conservative party"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630105331/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/21/soccer-great-ronaldinho-joins-conservative-brazilian-party |date=30 June 2018 }}. The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2018. Ronaldinho endorsed presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro in the 2018 Brazilian presidential election.[https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181006/sports/310069860/ "Ronaldinho endorses far-right Brazil presidential candidate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007111455/https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20181006/sports/310069860/ |date=7 October 2018 }}. Daily Herald. Retrieved 7 October 2018.

Ronaldinho made 853 appearances and scored 328 goals for club and country combined, with a goalscoring average of {{#expr:328/853 round 2}}.

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Notes

{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

:Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.

Grêmio{{cite book |last=Bocci |first=Alessandra |date=2011 |title=Il calcio di Ronaldinho ai raggi X |publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport |page=6 |language=it}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sambafoot.com/en/players/54_ronaldinho.html |title=Ronaldinho |website=Sambafoot |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105195246/https://www.sambafoot.com/en/players/54_ronaldinho.html |url-status=dead}}

• Copa Sul: 1999
• Campeonato Gaúcho: 1999

Barcelona

• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4970966.stm |title=Barca retain Spanish league title |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2006|access-date=10 September 2014|archive-date=1 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070901090556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4970966.stm|url-status=live}}
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7356366.stm |title=What happened to Ronaldinho? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2008|access-date=16 May 2017|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905061023/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7356366.stm|url-status=live}}
• UEFA Champions League: 2005–06{{Cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/ucl/2005/1108503_fr.pdf |title=Full time report |publisher=UEFA |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=26 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217232130/http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/ucl/2005/1108503_fr.pdf |archive-date=17 December 2008 | url-status=dead}}

Flamengo{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho Announces His Retirement; Why He Is One Of Soccer's All-Time Greats |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2018/01/16/ronaldinho-announces-his-retirement-why-he-is-one-of-soccers-all-time-greats/#649b1c56cff9 |access-date=27 September 2018 |work=Forbes |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927170457/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobbymcmahon/2018/01/16/ronaldinho-announces-his-retirement-why-he-is-one-of-soccers-all-time-greats/#649b1c56cff9 |url-status=live}}

• Campeonato Carioca: 2011

Atlético Mineiro

• Campeonato Mineiro: 2013
• Copa Libertadores: 2013
• Recopa Sudamericana: 2014

Brazil U17

• South American U-17 Championship: 1997
• FIFA U-17 World Championship: 1997

Brazil U23

• CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament: 2000
• Olympic Bronze Medal: 2008

Brazil

• Copa América: 1999
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, runner-up 1999

Individual

• Campeonato Gaucho top scorer: 1999{{cite web |last1=Bernardi Rizzon |first1=Rafael |last2=Cadore |first2=Marcos |title=Rio Grande do Sul -- List of State Topscorers |url=https://grmtec.com.br/rsssfbrasil/tablesr/rstops.htm |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=8 April 2019 |access-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111111205/https://grmtec.com.br/rsssfbrasil/tablesr/rstops.htm |archive-date=11 November 2020 |url-status=live}}
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 1999{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/mexico1999/index.html |title=FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP MEXICO 1999 |publisher=FIFA|access-date=29 September 2020|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607100942/https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/mexico1999/index.html/|url-status=dead}}
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Shoe: 1999
• South American Team of the Year: 1999{{cite news |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html |title=South American Team of the Year |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121064015/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-toy.html|url-status=live}}
• CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament top scorer: 2000
• Bola de Prata: 2000, 2011, 2012[http://espn.uol.com.br/boladeprata2017 Bola de Prata – Histórico] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115421/http://espn.uol.com.br/boladeprata2017 |date=27 July 2018}}, ESPN.com.br, 27 July 2018.
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/cup2002/2002-06-28-reyna.htm |title=All-star Reyna makes history |website=USA Today |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=26 September 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020926014049/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/cup2002/2002-06-28-reyna.htm |url-status=dead}}
• Ligue 1 Goal of The Year: 2003{{cite web |url=http://www.sportpalmares.eu/Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-football,246.html |title=Palmarès Trophées UNFP – Oscars du football – " Le plus beau but de Ligue 1 " (vote du public) |access-date=2 August 2017 |language=fr |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115406/http://www.sportpalmares.eu/Trophees-UNFP-Oscars-du-football,246.html |url-status=live}}
• FIFA 100: 2004{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/04/newsstory.sport15 |title=The Fifa 100 |work=The Guardian |date=4 March 2004 |access-date=16 May 2017 |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619062913/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/mar/04/newsstory.sport15 |url-status=live}}
• Don Balón Award: 2003–04, 2005–06{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html |title=Spain - Footballer of the Year |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |website=RSSSF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110170523/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/spanpoy.html |url-status=live}}
• Trofeo EFE: 2003–04{{cite web |url=https://www.eluniverso.com/2004/05/17/0001/15/DDDC5CE7993C48CF862D034C7C78634F.html |title=Ronaldinho gana el trofeo EFE a falta de un jornada para el final |website=El Universo |language=es |date=17 May 2004 |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110170218/https://www.eluniverso.com/2004/05/17/0001/15/DDDC5CE7993C48CF862D034C7C78634F.html |url-status=live}}
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2004, 2005{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |title=FIFA Awards, World Player of the Year Top 10 |publisher=rsssf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112042845/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/fifa-awards.html |archive-date=12 January 2016}}
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2004, 2005, 2006{{cite web |url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2004.html |title=TEAM OF THE YEAR 2004 |publisher=UEFA|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=19 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619165726/http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2004.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2005.html |title=TEAM OF THE YEAR 2005 |publisher=UEFA|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=19 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619183633/http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2005.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2006.html |title=TEAM OF THE YEAR 2006 |publisher=UEFA|access-date=15 December 2019|archive-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709042811/http://en.toty.uefa.com/history=2006.html|url-status=dead}}
• World Soccer Magazine World Player of The Year: 2004, 2005{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/Awards/archive.php |title=World Soccer Awards: Previous Winners |work=World Soccer |access-date=16 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604164928/http://www.worldsoccer.com/Awards/archive.php |archive-date=4 June 2011}}
• UEFA Club Forward of the Year: 2004–05{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=1639472.html |title=UEFA Club Football Awards |publisher=UEFA |date=May 2011|access-date=16 May 2017|archive-date=18 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418121502/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=1639472.html|url-status=dead}}
• FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Ball: 2005{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/germany2005/awards/index.html |title=FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 {{!}} Awards |publisher=FIFA |access-date=30 September 2015 |archive-date=30 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930071224/https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/germany2005/awards/index.html |url-status=dead}}
• Ballon d'Or: 2005{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4475808.stm |title=Ronaldinho scoops European award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2005|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-date=6 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061106034156/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4475808.stm|url-status=live}}
• Onze d'Or: 2005{{cite web |last=Pierrend |first=José Luis |title="Onze Mondial" Awards |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=6 March 2012 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704020132/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html |url-status=live}}
• FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2005, 2006{{cite news |title=Ronaldinho & Rooney scoop awards |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4259274.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2015 |date=19 September 2005|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125130142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4259274.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=RONALDINHO VOTED FIFPRO WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR AGAIN |url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/news/ronaldinho-voted-fifpro-world-player-of-the-year-again |website=FIFPro |access-date=24 November 2015|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125065012/http://www.fifpro.org/en/news/ronaldinho-voted-fifpro-world-player-of-the-year-again|url-status=live}}
• FIFPro World XI: 2005, 2006, 2007{{cite web |url=http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2004-2005 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2004/2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701201129/http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2004-2005 |archive-date=1 July 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2005/2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701201417/http://fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2005-2006 |archive-date=1 July 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007 |title=FIFPRO WORLD XI 2006/2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302065115/http://www.fifpro.org/en/award-history/fifpro-world-xi-2006-2007 |archive-date=2 March 2014}}
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2005–06
• La Liga top assist provider: 2005–06{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/ESP.1/season/2005 |title=Spanish Primera División Scoring Stats - 2005-06 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110173508/https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/ESP.1/season/2005 |url-status=live}}
• UEFA Champions League top assist provider: 2005–06{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/statistics/index.html |title=UEFA Champions League 2005/06 – History – Statistics – UEFA.com |publisher=UEFA |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109113845/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2005/statistics/index.html |url-status=dead}}
• FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball: 2006
• FIFA World Player of the Year Bronze award: 2006
• Golden Foot: 2009{{cite web |url=https://goldenfoot.com/winners/ |title=Winners of all time {{!}} Golden Foot Award Monaco |publisher=Golden Foot |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110165700/https://goldenfoot.com/winners/ |url-status=live}}
• Sports Illustrated Team of the Decade: 2009{{cite magazine |last=Wahl |first=Grant |title=2000s: The Decade in Sports; All-Decade Team: Soccer |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/15/soccer.decade.team/index.html |date=21 December 2009 |access-date=30 August 2018|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113202936/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/15/soccer.decade.team/index.html |archive-date=13 November 2012}}
• World Player of the Decade 2000s: 2009
• Serie A top assist provider: 2009–10{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/ITA.1/season/2009 |title=Italian Serie A Scoring Stats - 2009-10 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=10 January 2021 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110164731/https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/ITA.1/season/2009 |url-status=live}}
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2011, 2012{{cite web |title=Os eleitos do Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão! |url=http://www.lanceactivo.com.br/www-lanceactivo-com-br-a-beira-do-campo/Blog/os-eleitos-do-premio-craque-do-brasileirao-/81551 |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=24 December 2011 |work=Lance! |language=pt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071425/http://www.lanceactivo.com.br/www-lanceactivo-com-br-a-beira-do-campo/Blog/os-eleitos-do-premio-craque-do-brasileirao-/81551 |archive-date=26 April 2012}}{{cite web |title=Conheça os grandes vencedores do futebol brasileiro |trans-title=Meet the big winners of Brazilian football |url=http://www.cbf.com.br/Not%C3%ADcias/2012/11/23/Conhe%C3%A7a%20os%20grandes%20vencedores%20do%20futebol%20brasileiro |date=23 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012 |publisher=CBF |language=pt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130141048/http://www.cbf.com.br/Not%C3%ADcias/2012/11/23/Conhe%C3%A7a%20os%20grandes%20vencedores%20do%20futebol%20brasileiro |archive-date=30 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Fan's Player: 2012
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A top assist provider: 2012{{cite web |url=http://globoesporte.globo.com/numerologos/platb/2012/12/03/r49-o-lider-de-assistencias/ |title=R49, o rei das assistências |date=3 December 2012 |work=Globo Esporte |language=pt |access-date=4 August 2015 |archive-date=19 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219092345/http://globoesporte.globo.com/numerologos/platb/2012/12/03/r49-o-lider-de-assistencias/ |url-status=live}}
• Bola de Ouro: 2012[https://web.archive.org/web/20120109061304/http://espn.estadao.com.br/boladeprata/noticia/229694_RONALDINHO%2BCOROA%2BRETORNO%2BAO%2BBRASIL%2BCOM%2B2%2BBOLA%2BDE%2BPRATA%2BDA%2BCARREIRA "Ronaldinho coroa retorno ao Brasil com 2ª Bola de Prata da carreira e diz: quer ficar no Fla"]. ESPN. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
• Copa Libertadores top assist provider: 2012, 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/copa-libertadores/58/statistics/assists?season=2011 |title=Copa Libertadores Statistics – ESPN FC |publisher=ESPN FC |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-date=8 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008215820/http://www.espnfc.com/copa-libertadores/58/statistics/assists?season=2011 |url-status=live}}
• FIFA Club World Cup top scorer: 2013{{cite web |url=https://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompcwc/02/67/91/87/statskit_fcwc2016_neutral.pdf |title=FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2016: 8–18 December 2016: Statistical kit |publisher=FIFA |access-date=20 December 2016 |page=20 |date=5 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220035218/https://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompcwc/02/67/91/87/statskit_fcwc2016_neutral.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead}}
• South American Footballer of the Year: 2013{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/sam-poy.html |title=South American Coach and Player of the Year |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=18 January 2016 |first=José Luis |last=Pierrend|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126144614/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/sam-poy.html|url-status=live}}
• UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (substitute; published in 2015){{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2201679.html |title=Ultimate Team of the Year: The All-Time XI |publisher=UEFA |date=22 November 2015 |access-date=25 November 2015|archive-date=7 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507174924/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2201679.html|url-status=dead}}
• Brazilian Football Museum Hall of Fame{{cite web |title=Museu do Futebol II. Anjos barrocos. |url=http://futpopclube.com/2009/05/17/museu-do-futebol-ii-anjos-barrocos/ |access-date=21 November 2015 |publisher=Fut Pop Clube |language=pt |date=17 May 2009|archive-date=30 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730162458/https://futpopclube.com/2009/05/17/museu-do-futebol-ii-anjos-barrocos/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Baroque Angels |url=http://museudofutebol.org.br/en/exposicao/longa-duracao/4-sala-4/ |access-date=21 November 2015 |publisher=Museu do Futebol|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121173508/http://museudofutebol.org.br/en/exposicao/longa-duracao/4-sala-4/ |archive-date=21 November 2015}}
• AC Milan Hall of Fame{{cite web |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/ronaldinho |title=AC Milan Hall of Fame: Ronaldo De Assis Moreira (Ronaldinho) |publisher=AC Milan |access-date=13 May 2017|archive-date=25 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025080633/https://www.acmilan.com/en/ronaldinho|url-status=live}}
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Silver): 2020{{cite web |title=The other two Ballon d'Or Dream Team XIs: Zidane, Cruyff, Iniesta, Di Stefano... but no Casillas |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |website=MARCA |date=15 December 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320110428/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2020/12/14/5fd7bc8522601d53598b45b2.html |archive-date=20 March 2023 |url-status=live}}
• Globe Soccer Awards Player Career Award: 2021{{cite web |title=Ronaldinho (Player Career Award) |url=https://www.globesoccer.com/winners/ronaldinho-player-career-award-2021/ |publisher=Globe Soccer Awards |access-date=28 November 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525200924/https://www.globesoccer.com/winners/ronaldinho-player-career-award-2021/ |archive-date=25 May 2022}}

Other

In 2012, two Brazilian entomologists named a new species of bee, from Brazil, Eulaema quadragintanovem, stating that "the specific epithet honors the Brazilian soccer player Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, famous worldwide as 'Ronaldinho' and in Brazil as 'Ronaldinho Gaúcho'. Quadraginta novem means 'forty-nine' in Latin, the number of Ronaldinho's jersey at Atlético Mineiro, his former team in Brazil. Ronaldinho chose the number 49 as an homage to his mother, born in 1949."Nemésio, A.; Ferrari, R.R. 2012: The species of Eulaema (Eulaema) Lepeletier, 1841 (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossina) from eastern Brazil, with description of Eulaema quadragintanovem sp. n. from the state of Ceará. Zootaxa, 3478: 123–132. [http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03478p132f.pdf Preview] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513114021/http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03478p132f.pdf |date=13 May 2013}}

{{Portal|Association football|Brazil}}

• List of association football families

{{Clear}}

{{reflist}}

;Notes

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306020311/http://www.ronaldinhogaucho.com/ |date=6 March 2010 |title=Ronaldinho Gaúcho official website}} {{in lang|es|pt|en|it}}
• [https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/barca-legends/players/1493844/ronaldinho Profile] at FC Barcelona
• [https://www.acmilan.com/en/club/legends/players/ronaldinho Profile] at AC Milan
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{MedioTiempo|id=ronaldinho}}
• {{LFP|id=de-assis-moreira-ronaldo}}
• [https://www.rsssf.org/players/ec1winningsquads.html European Champions Cup/UEFA Champions League Winning Squads]

{{Navboxes

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{{Brazil squad 1999 Copa América}}

{{Brazil squad 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

{{Brazil men's football squad 2000 Summer Olympics}}

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{{Brazil squad 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}}

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{{Brazil men's football squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}

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{{2002 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}

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{{2000 Bola de Prata}}

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{{2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year}}

{{Ballon d'Or recipients}}

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{{Bola de Ouro}}

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Category:1980 births

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