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2/11/2006

Ronaldinho

1.81 m, 80 kg
20 March 1980 – Porto Alegre, Brazil

Clubs:
Gremio (1998-2001), Paris Saint-Germain (2001-03), Barcelona (2003-    )

Season 2005-2006
Primera Division:            29 matches, 17 goals

Champions League:       12 matches, 7 goals

World Cup 2006:           5 matches, 0 goals

Ronaldinho Gaucho is currently one of the best players in the world. The ball magician began his career with Gremio in his native Porto Alegre. He played here under coach Luiz Felipe Scolari with whom he would gain the world title in 2002. Despite considerable interest from the English Premier League, Ronaldinho was acquired in 2001 by the French club Paris Saint-Germain. When PSG failed to gain a place in European football in the 2002/2003 season, Ronaldinho hinted that he might leave the French. Various top European clubs, such as Manchester United and Barcelona, were interested. Ultimately, Ronaldinho was bought for around 30 million Euros by Barcelona. The club would never regret this, because, thanks to the arrival of Ronaldhino, the Catalans were able for the first time in years to compete for the national title. With the arrival of Deco and Eto’o a year later, Ronaldinho was driven to the left wing position, but he was still able to impress. He is capable of scoring but also of making the decisive pass and what’s more, he delighted the supporters at every game with his brilliant actions. In the 2004/2005 season, under coach Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona became national champion for the first time in 6 years in La Liga.

Barcelona was also supreme in La Liga in the 2005/2006 season. A good example of Barcelona’s class was in the away match against Real Madrid in which Ronaldinho made two brilliant goals and was given a standing ovation by the Real supporters, something that has never happened since Maradona's Barcelona in 1985. In the competition, Ronaldinho scored no less than 17 times and his club became Spanish champion a full 12 points ahead of Real Madrid. But things only got better: in the Champions League the Catalans were again victors. Ronaldinho scored 7 goals in 12 matches and was able to raise the “Cup with the big Ears” when Barcelona beat Arsenal 2-1 in the final.

At the World Cup 2006, Brazil was the big favourite. Together with Kaká, Ronaldo and Adriano, Ronaldinho formed the attack for the "Divine Canaries". After 4 good games, the quarter finals were reached in ease, but to everybody’s amazement, France proved too strong for the Brazilians.

Last year, Ronaldinho was chosen “FIFPro Player of the Year”. Will he win it again this year?