The Rise & Fall of Ronaldinho

In 2005 Ronaldinho was on top of the footballing world with a Ballon d’Or in his hand. But that was his peak.

It wasn’t a smooth ascent, he didn’t make many friends along the way, and his descent was even bumpier.

From a teenage star playing for his boyhood club, via the glittery lights of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, to imprisonment and near bankruptcy.

This is the story of one of the most entertaining footballers of all time.

Written by Seb Stafford-Bloor, illustrated by Henry Cooke.

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#Ronaldinho

[SujoyChakravarthi]

Ronaldinho's greatest achievement and lasting legacy? Making football look like fun. All those tricks and flicks, memorable goals, iconic celebrations and that million watt smile - he made a generation fall in love with the game. His personal vices would create a great What If of his career while the later distasteful episodes made him a figure of controversy. But his peak was the brightest of lights, attracting and indoctrinating countless fans into the Church of the Beautiful Game. That was Ronaldinho

[alexgreenwood]

I genuinely feel sorry for those who weren't born, or weren't old enough tonsee Ronaldinho at his peak. He was an absolute joy to watch, and he was having an absolute blast playing the game

[leandrogripp]

This video really hits home. The only thing i feel that should be mentioned is that, when playing for Atletico Mineiro at age at age 33-34, he lead them to their first - and only, thus far - Libertadores title. Even out of his peak he managed to lead his team to continental greatness. And that is coming from someone who supports Atletico's local rivals, but Dinho was just too magical of a player not to have his achievements mentioned

[osobad]

“ A candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long” that’s Ronaldinho in a nutshell

[maqpi]

Ronaldinho's legacy will be that he inspired millions of footballers to love the game and Messi also credits him as an inspiration

[AsianGuyStream]

As an entertainer Ronaldinho is unparalleled and still is the GOAT in that regard

[Maze]

Maybe his career didn’t last as long as Messi or Ronaldo’s, but he is still the most amazing player I’ve ever seen to this day

[Noobiek]

Players like Ronaldinho is what modern football is lacking really. There are so few modern footballers who actually make football fun and make you want to go outside and kick a ball around right after seeing them play. The game has just gotten so bogged down in efficiency and competitiveness that it's lost a lot of the magic. There are still some players out there like it but they're sadly a dying breed.

[henryreturns]

- Won every individual award
- Won every important collective title such as Champions League, Copa Libertadores, Copa America, and the World Cup
- Becoming the best player of the world
- Making Barca great again
- But his biggest achievement was to inspired million of players. There is this video on the premier league about which player inspired them, and 90% said “RONALDINHO”

[risskitt]

Crazy to think that I’m coaching a youth team who were not born yet when Ronaldinho was at his peak. His flair, personality and joy were the reason I got into the game in the first place.

[gabrieelfranca_]

The most magical player I ever saw. Not even prime Messi was that fabulous. The game is yet to produce another player like him.

[danhoppy]

The 3 'R's for Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, with Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho at, or near, the top of their game, was a wonderful sight to behold, backed up by the supply of Bobby Carlos and Cafu on the flanks.

[hansnase]

People say if he only had the work ethic of a Christiano Ronaldo he would have been the greatest player of all time, but honestly, if he had that work ethic he wouldn't have been Ronaldinho. That flare and carelessness were just part of who he was as a person - both on and off the pitch. And that is precisely what made him great.

[LucasAmericano]

Those few prime years he had at Barça were soooo much fun to watch!

[Julesreynoso]

I owe my love for the game to RONADLDINHO. He was the sport’s greatest poet.

[thisIsFunnyLolz]

Possibly the most inherent talent in a player ever. His ability to score in big games like breezing through RM several times demonstrates how powerful he could’ve become with the dedication that Ronaldo and Messi have to every practice and match. He brought countless smiles to the world and generated so much interest in the sport and I would smile when I played with friends because he always seemed to enjoying himself like football should be

[ryanweavile]

In Brazil he was really bad in Flamengo, but in Atlético Mineiro he helped the team to win their first and only Copa Libertadores in 2013, and was the last season that he played in a good level.

[spacebar]

Though his peak was short lived, I don’t think it could have been different. His football oozed fun, because that was who he was including off the pitch. If he would have been more disciplined he could have been more like messi, more efficient and a longer career, but losing the exceptional flair. There is no player like him.

[tosei]

I remember watching him play in Barca as a kid and every time he touched the ball I was glued to the screen to see what he would do next and he made me love the game even more. One of a kind and the most entertaining player i have ever watched, the true embodiment of "joga bonito" that always played with a smile and certainly made me smile when watching him work his magic.

[Hafris]

He is the embodiment of entertaining football that nowadays could not achieve. Aside from his disciplinary problem he is the reason that make people loves watching football eventhough you are an opponent fans.