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
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 still have a video of my father, which I watch before every game I play for Brazil. It gives me strength, makes me determined.
The toughest opponents for me are the defenders who are tough in the way they play - where you can't see a way through.
Ashley Cole is a fantastic defender. I have seen him keep the best players in the world quiet.
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.
I think each player has an individual style. Each is concerned with giving the best to his team, and I think my best talent is dribbling and setting up goal situations, giving an assist or deceiving one of the other team's players.
My heroes were always soccer players.
Football is a great love because I was born into a family of players and therefore born into football. I'm fortunate to have a style of play that a lot of people like. It's a privilege to be able to do what I like best and in my own way, but I'm fortunate that people like it, and that motivates me even more.
Henry is a beautiful player and has got complete technique, I adore watching him. I respect him very much as a man and as a footballer. He reminds me of myself.
A lot of the moves I make originate from futsal. It's played in a very small space, and the ball control is different in futsal. And to this day my ball control is pretty similar to a futsal player's control.
The whole of this team's very special, they're great players so it's difficult to choose.
The team played very well and I was delighted to help out with three goals.
To be here with all those great players applauding me is a dream come true,