Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho
Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, commonly known as Ronaldinhoor Ronaldinho Gaúcho, is a Brazilian footballer. His main playing position is as an attacking midfielder or forward. He won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005. Renowned for his technique, tricks, dribbling, overhead kicks, no-look passes and free kicks, Ronaldinho is regarded to be one of the best players of his generation...
NationalityBrazilian
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth21 March 1980
CityRio Grande Do Sul, Brazil
CountryBrazil
The best players are always in the thick of the action. (Michael) Jordan did it with the Bulls, (Kobe) Bryant does it with the Lakers and Leo does it here. We want him to stay with us because he's the best and we wouldn't swap him for anyone.
Brazil go into every World Cup expecting to win - so when it is in Brazil, it is expected even more. You can't understand what the World Cup means to our country. Not just the fans and players, but everybody in Brazil lets us know that they expect it. Our president, people in politics, all tell us to come back with the World Cup.
My game is based on improvisation. Often, a forward does not have the time to think too much. You have a second, rarely more, to decide whether to dribble, shoot or pass to the right or left. It is instinct that gives the orders.
I remember seeing Eric Cantona play for Manchester United. The way he used to control games was special to watch.
When I was 7, I started playing with a club. The only grass on the field was in the corner. There was no grass in the middle! It was just sand.
I grew up in a house that was always happy, and my family was always music, music. I started playing percussion very young, because I had some uncles who were musicians and all my aunts were singers.
I come from a family where soccer has always been very present. My uncles, my father and my brother were all players.
My only concern is playing. Everything else, my family looks after. In our house, everyone has a job, and my job in our house is to play football.
For me soccer provides so many emotions, a different feeling every day. I've had the good fortune to take part in major competitions like the Olympics, and winning the World Cup was also unforgettable. We lost in the Olympics and won in the World Cup, and I'll never forget either feeling.
Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamt about winning the Brazilian league, and I still dream about it now. I am doing everything I possibly can to make my dream come true.
My family is everything. I am what I am thanks to my mother, my father, my brother, my sister... because they have given me everything. The education I have is thanks to them.
God gives gifts to everyone, ... Some can write, some can dance. He gave me the skill to play football and I am making the most of it.
I have never imagined doing anything other than football, but now, thinking about it coldly, if I hadn't been a footballer, I would have been a musician.
I am passionate about music - and people think because I go to places where I can enjoy music I have to be partying. It isn't true.