RONALDINHO

TEAMS PLAYED FOR

AC Milan: 2008 -
FC Barcelona: 2003 - 2008
Paris Saint-Germain: 2001 - 2003
Gremio: 1997 - 2001

BIO

Ronaldinho (full name Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) was born on March 21, 1980 in Vila Nova, a poor suburb of Porto Alegre, Brazil.  His father, Joao was a huge fan of Gremio Football Club and worked as a car park attendant for the team.  His brother Roberto was a young promising player for Gremio but a serious knee injury ended his career prematurely. 
When Ronaldinho was 8 years old, a tragedy struck his family when his father suffered a heart attack while swimming and drowned in a pool.  Around the same time, Ronaldinho followed in his brother's steps and joined the Gremio soccer school where he became the most promising and exciting player in Brazil at that time. 

CLUB CAREER

In 2001 Ronaldinho signed a contract with French team Paris Saint-Germain where he spent 3 years where he became a fan favorite with his tremendous flair and exciting style of soccer, also contributing a great amount of goals.
Although Manchester United were calling Ronaldinho to join their team, he chose to sign with Spanish club FC Barcelona for 21 million pounds, a steal price for such a player. 
The move to Barcelona was a very significant one in terms of the power shift in the world of soccer. Barcelona was in a mini crisis period, outshone domestically by bitter rivals Real Madrid. New president Joan Laporta had promised to bring in changes at the club, and the signing of Ronaldinho from PSG on a 5 year contract was one of those.
While at Barcelona Ronaldinho continued to amaze everyone around him.  There seems to be no limit to his skills.  The ability to play comes to him naturally, and the ball looks alive when at his feet.  There are times when Ronaldinho makes his move, the rest of the players just stand there awestruck.
While at Barcelona Ronaldinho won the La Liga twice, the Spanish Cup and added the Champions League title.  On a personal note he won the FIFA world player award twice. 
After seemingly flawless career at Barcelona, Ronaldinho suffered setback in fitness form primerily caused by his desire to enjoy the night life and subsequent injuries.  As a result, the club decided to sell the player to AC Milan.  However, playing for Milan he has only shown glimpses of his former abilities. 
With the new season just underway in Italy, the supporters hope that the old Ronaldinho will resurface.  He is, after all, a special player, World Cup winner with a special talant.  He is only 29 years old and can still amaze the supporters for many years to come.

PERSONAL INFO 

Ronaldinho's brother Roberto is his sports agent and his sister is his press coordinator... He has a son named Joao after his father... His first brush with the media came after a 23 goal flurry against a local team, at just 13 years of age... Huge fan of Brazilian music... Plays the drums and sings...

TITLES AND AWARDS

FC Barcelona

La Liga: 2005, 2006
Spanish Super Cup: 2005, 2006
UEFA Champions League: 2006

International

FIFA under-17 World Cup: 1997
Copa America: 1999
FIFA World Cup: 2002
FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005
2008 Summer Olympics: Bronze Medal