Ronaldinho, one of the great Brazilian footballers, announced his retirement yesterday in a move that sees one of this century’s most memorable careers come to an end.
He provided plenty of thrilling moments over the years, including outrageous skill, dazzling dribbles and some fantastic goals. The 2005 World Player of the Year was a must-watch superstar and he left an impression on everyone who went to watch him play.
As a result, we’ve picked out five of the best moments from his career.
That free kick!
It was the goal that knocked England out of the 2002 World Cup. With the game delicately poised at 1-1, Brazil won a free kick 35-yards out from England’s goal. The Brazilian attack and England defence had lined up expecting a cross, but Ronaldinho had a different idea. The Brazilian spotted David Seaman standing off his line and lobbed the ball over the head of the goalkeeper. Seaman looked shocked as he saw what had happened. That was the highlight of the game for Ronaldinho, who got sent off in the same game and missed the semi-final.
Debut at the Camp Nou
The first decade of the 21st century could have been very different in Spanish football had Barcelona president Joan Laporta got his way in 2003. Laporta had promised fans that he would secure the marquee signing of David Beckham, but he failed, leaving Beckham to join arch rivals Real Madrid.
Instead, Barcelona moved for Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian Ronaldinho and it changed the entire face of La Liga. In his first game at the Camp Nou, he got the ball in his own half and slalomed his way through the Sevilla defence before scoring from 30 yards out.
It was love at first sight for the Barcelona fans and Ronaldinho went on to become the world’s best player and won a Champions League. Meanwhile, Real Madrid struggled to keep pace, as Barcelona begun a long spell of dominance in the world of club football. It could all have been so different had Beckham joined the Catalan side instead.
The toe poke at Chelsea
The rivalry between Barcelona and Chelsea has seen some ugly moments over the years, none more so than in 2009, but Ronaldinho produced a thing of beauty in 2005. Andres Iniesta passed the ball to him on the outside of the penalty box. Ronaldinho feigned twice and toe poked the ball into the back of the net, causing hysteria around Stamford Bridge.
The goal was in vain though as Chelsea won 4-2 that night and 5-4 on aggregate, but it was one of the greatest goals ever seen at the Bridge.
A standing ovation at the Bernabeu
There have been some wonderful players to have put on the white of Real Madrid. Unfortunately for their fans, Ronaldinho wasn’t one of them, but he did enjoy a standing ovation whilst playing for Barcelona at the Bernabeu. An honour not many players can claim.
In November 2005, the Brazilian scored twice in a 3-0 win for Barcelona, including a goal that saw him embark on a 50-yard run before finding the back of the net. Later that year, Ronaldinho went on to lift the Ballon d’Or as he won a La Liga title and the Champions League in the same year.
Homecoming in Brazil
Ronaldinho left Barcelona for AC Milan in 2008, but aside from a single Serie A title, his time in Italy proved unsuccessful and he returned to his native Brazil with Flamengo. He missed out on selection for the 2010 World Cup, but his form was deemed good enough for him to return to the squad for some friendlies after the tournament.
With his team 1-0 down to Mexico, Ronaldinho stood over a free kick on the left-hand side of the opposition box. In true style, he whipped the ball into the top corner to equalise. It was the last of 33 goals for his national side.Words
